Display panel and display device

ABSTRACT

A display panel includes a substrate including a main display area, a round display area disposed at a corner portion of the main display area, and a middle display area between the main display area and the round display area, a round display element area arranged in the round display area and including round display elements, and a round pixel circuit area arranged in the middle display area and including round pixel circuits connected to the round display elements and emitting light of a same color. Round display element areas are arranged in different rows and round pixel circuit areas are arranged in different rows. One edge of the round pixel circuit area arranged in a first row from arranged in a same direction is spaced apart from one edge of the round pixel circuit area arranged in a second row by a first distance.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2021-0046676, filed on Apr. 9, 2021, and all the benefits accruingtherefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety isherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments relate to devices, and more particularly, to a display paneland a display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices based on mobility are coming into widespread use.Recently, tablet personal computers (“PCs”), in addition to small-sizedelectronic devices such as mobile phones, are being widely used asmobile electronic devices.

In order to support various functions, the mobile electronic devicesinclude a display device for providing a user with visual informationsuch as images or videos. Recently, as components for driving suchdisplay devices are being miniaturized, occupancy of the display devicesin electronic devices is gradually increasing. Moreover, a structurethat may be curved to define a predetermined angle with respect to aflat state is being developed.

SUMMARY

In general, display panels include a round display area in a rimthereof. In this case, the roughness of this round portion is increasedaccording to a manner in which pixels are arranged in the roundedportion, and thus is visually recognized, so that an image is notaccurately viewed on the rounded portion of the display area, or a usersee the roughness of the rounded portion and thus may mistake theroughness as a product defect. Embodiments include a display panel anddisplay device capable of smoothly visually recognizing a round portionof a display area when a pixel emits light at the round portion of thedisplay area.

Additional features will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments of the invention

In an embodiment of the invention, a display panel includes a substrateincluding a main display area, a round display area disposed at a cornerportion of the main display area and at least partially curved, a middledisplay area arranged between the main display area and the rounddisplay area, a plurality of round display element areas arranged in theround display area and each including a plurality of round displayelements each including a pixel electrode, and a plurality of roundpixel circuit areas arranged in the middle display area and eachincluding a plurality of round pixel circuits connected to the pluralityof round display elements which are arranged in the round display areaand emit light of the same color. The plurality of round pixel circuitssimultaneously drives the plurality of round display elements. Theplurality of round display element areas is arranged in different rowsand the plurality of round pixel circuit areas is arranged in differentrows, and one edge of a round pixel circuit area arranged in a first rowfrom among the plurality of round pixel circuit areas arranged in a samedirection is spaced apart from one edge of a round pixel circuit areaarranged in a second row from among the plurality of round pixel circuitareas by a first distance.

In an embodiment, the first distance may be a width of one edge of amain unit area arranged in the main display area, wherein a plurality ofmain display elements each including a pixel electrode is arranged inthe main display area.

In an embodiment, the first distance may be twice the width of one edgeof the main unit area arranged in the main display area, wherein aplurality of main display elements each including a pixel electrode isarranged in the main display area.

In an embodiment, the first distance may be half of the width of oneedge of the main unit area arranged in the main display area, wherein aplurality of main display elements each including a pixel electrode isarranged in the main display area.

In an embodiment, a width of one edge of one of the plurality of rounddisplay element areas may be four times a width of one edge of a mainunit area arranged in the main display area, wherein a plurality of maindisplay elements each including a pixel electrode is arranged in themain unit area.

In an embodiment, the width of one edge of one of the plurality of rounddisplay element areas may be twice the width of one edge of the mainunit area arranged in the main display area, wherein a plurality of maindisplay elements each including a pixel electrode is arranged in themain unit area.

In an embodiment, a planar area of one of the plurality of round displayelement areas may be twice a planar area of one of the plurality ofround pixel circuit areas.

In an embodiment, a planar area of one of the plurality of round displayelement areas may be equal to the planar area of one of the plurality ofround pixel circuit areas.

In an embodiment, the plurality of round display elements may include aplurality of first round display elements which emit light of a firstcolor, a plurality of second round display elements which emit light ofa second color, and a plurality of third round display elements whichemit light of a third color.

In an embodiment, the plurality of round pixel circuits may include afirst pixel circuit connected to the plurality of first round displayelements, a second pixel circuit connected to the plurality of secondround display elements, and a third pixel circuit connected to theplurality of third round display elements.

In an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of round displayelements may be included in the plurality of round pixel circuit areas.

In an embodiment, some of the plurality of middle display elements maybe connected to one another and emit light of a same color.

In an embodiment, a rim of at least one of the round display area andthe middle display area may be round.

In an embodiment, a plurality of main display elements may be arrangedin the main display area.

In an embodiment, the plurality of main display elements may be arrangedin the same manner as the plurality of round display elements.

In an embodiment of the invention, a display panel includes a substrateincluding a main display area, a round display area having a roundboundary arranged adjacent to a round portion of the substrate andincluding a plurality of round display element areas in which aplurality of round display elements which emit light of the same coloris arranged, and a middle display area arranged between the rounddisplay area and the main display area and including a middle displayelement area in which a plurality of middle display elements which emitlight of a same color is arranged and including a round pixel circuitarea in which a round pixel circuit connected to a round display elementof plurality of round display elements is arranged and a plurality ofmiddle pixel circuit areas in which a middle pixel circuit connected tothe middle display element is arranged. The plurality of round displayelement areas is arranged in different rows, and the plurality of middlepixel circuit areas is arranged in different rows, and the plurality ofmiddle pixel circuit areas in different rows is arranged in a stepwisemanner.

In an embodiment, a main unit area in which a plurality of main displayelements are arranged may be arranged in the main display area, and adistance by which respective one edges of the plurality of middle pixelcircuit areas arranged in different rows are spaced apart from eachother may be equal to a width of the main unit area in one direction ormay be twice the width.

In an embodiment, a main unit area in which a plurality of main displayelements may be arranged may be arranged in the main display area, and adistance by which respective one edges of the plurality of middle pixelcircuit areas arranged in different rows are spaced apart from eachother may be half of the width of the main unit area in one direction.

In an embodiment, the plurality of round display element areas arrangedin different rows in the round portion of the round display area may bearranged in a stepwise manner.

In an embodiment of the invention, a display device includes a displaypanel and a window arranged on the display panel. The display panelincludes a substrate including a main display area, a round display areadisposed at a corner portion of the main display area, and a middledisplay area arranged between the main display area and the rounddisplay area, a plurality of round display element areas arranged in theround display area and including a plurality of round display elementseach including a pixel electrode, and a plurality of round pixel circuitareas arranged in the middle display area and each including a pluralityof round pixel circuits connected to the plurality of round displayelements which are arranged in the round display area and emit light ofthe same color. The plurality of round pixel circuits simultaneouslydrives the plurality of round display elements. The plurality of rounddisplay element areas is arranged in different rows and the plurality ofround pixel circuit areas is arranged in different rows, and one edge ofa round pixel circuit area arranged in a first row from among theplurality of round pixel circuit areas arranged in a same direction isspaced apart from one edge of a round pixel circuit area arranged in asecond row from among the plurality of round pixel circuit areas by afirst distance.

These and/or other features will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other embodiments, features, and advantages of theinvention will be more apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a displaydevice according to the invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematic cross-sectional views of anembodiment of the display device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel circuit thatis applicable to a display panel;

FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a display panelaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4B is a magnified view of a portion of the display panel of FIG.4A;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of FIG. 4A taken alongline B-B′ of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of FIG. 4A taken alongline C-C′ of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of an arrangement of pixels of amain display area of a display panel according to the invention;

FIG. 8A is a plan view of an embodiment of arrangement and connection ofpixels of a round display area of a display panel according to theinvention;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 8A;

FIGS. 8E and 8F are plan views of an embodiment of a round displayelement area, a middle display element area, and a round pixel circuitarea of a display panel according to the invention;

FIG. 9A is a plan view of another embodiment of arrangement andconnection of pixels of a round display area of a display panelaccording to the invention;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E′ of FIG. 9A;

FIGS. 9C and 9D are plan views of another embodiment of a round displayelement area, a middle display element area, and a round pixel circuitarea of a display panel according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a displaypanel according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a display panelaccording to the invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of adisplay panel according to the invention;

FIG. 12C is a plan view illustrating pixel arrangements of a componentarea, a round display area, a middle display area, and a portion of amain display area of FIG. 11; and

FIGS. 13A through 13G are plan views illustrating a pixel layout of thecomponent area of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, theembodiments may have different forms and should not be construed asbeing limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, theembodiments are merely described below, by referring to the drawingfigures, to explain features of the description. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. Throughout the disclosure, the expression “atleast one of a, b or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b,both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

As the disclosure allows for various changes and numerous embodiments,particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and describedin detail in the written description. Hereinafter, effects and featuresof the invention and a method for accomplishing them will be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichembodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. Those components that are thesame as or are in correspondence with each other are rendered the samereference numeral regardless of the figure number, and redundantexplanations are omitted.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. These components are only used todistinguish one component from another.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising” used herein specify the presence of stated features orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features or components.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “formed on” another layer, region, or component, itcan be directly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, orcomponent. That is, for example, intervening layers, regions, orcomponents may be present.

Sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience ofexplanation. Since sizes and thicknesses of components in the drawingsare arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of explanation, theinvention is not limited thereto.

In the following examples, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are notlimited to three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. The x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axismay be perpendicular to one another, or may represent differentdirections that are not perpendicular to one another, for example.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specificprocess order may be performed differently from the described order. Twoconsecutively described processes may be performed substantially at thesame time or performed in an order opposite to the described order, forexample.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the statedvalue and means within an acceptable range of deviation for theparticular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art,considering the measurement in question and the error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of themeasurement system). The term “about” can mean within one or morestandard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value,for example.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and theinvention, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalsense unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a displaydevice 1 according to the invention. FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are schematiccross-sectional views of an embodiment of the display device 1 accordingto the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 2C, the display device 1 displays a movingpicture or a still image, and thus may be used as the display screens ofvarious products such as not only portable electronic apparatuses, suchas mobile phones, smartphones, tablet personal computers (“PCs”), mobilecommunication terminals, electronic notebooks, electronic books,portable multimedia players (“PMPs”), navigation devices, andultra-mobile PCs (“UMPCs”) but also televisions, notebooks, monitors,advertisement panels, and internet of things (“loT”) devices. Thedisplay device 1 may also be used in wearable devices such as smartwatches, watch phones, glasses-type displays, and head mounted displays(“HMDs”). The display device 1 may also be used as dashboards ofautomobiles, center information displays (“CIDs”) of the center fasciaeor dashboards of automobiles, room mirror displays that replace the sidemirrors of automobiles, and displays arranged on the rear sides of frontseats to serve as entertainment devices for back seat passengers ofautomobiles.

In an embodiment, the display device 1 may have longer edges in a firstdirection and shorter edges in a second direction. The first directionand the second direction may intersect with each other. In anembodiment, the first direction and the second direction may define anacute angle, for example. In another embodiment, the first direction andthe second direction may define an obtuse angle or a right angle. A casewhere the first direction (e.g., a y direction or a −y direction) andthe second direction (e.g., an x direction or a −x direction) define aright angle will be described in detail.

In another embodiment, the length of an edge of the display device 1 inthe first direction (e.g., the y direction or the −y direction) may beequal to that of an edge of the display device 1 in the second direction(e.g., the x direction or the −x direction). In another embodiment, thedisplay device 1 may have shorter edges in the first direction (e.g.,the y direction or the −y direction) and longer edges in the seconddirection (e.g., the x direction or the −x direction).

Corners between the longer edges in the first direction (e.g., the ydirection or the −y direction) and the shorter edges in the seconddirection (e.g., the x direction or the −x direction) may be rounded tohave a predetermined curvature.

The display device 1 may include a display panel 10, a touch screenlayer TSL, and a cover window CW. In this case, the cover window CW mayprotect the display panel 10.

The cover window CW may be a flexible window. The cover window CW mayprotect the display panel 10 while being easily bent along an externalforce without generating cracks or the like. The cover window CW mayinclude glass, sapphire or plastic. In an embodiment, the cover windowCW may be tempered glass (e.g., ultra-thin glass (“UTG”)) or colorlesspolyimide (“CPI”), for example. In an embodiment, the cover window CWmay have a structure in which a flexible polymer layer is arranged onone surface of a glass substrate, or may only include a polymer layer.

The display panel 10 may be disposed below the cover window CW. Althoughnot shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C, the display panel 10 may be attachedto the cover window CW by a transparent adhesion member such as anoptically clear adhesive (“OCA”) film.

The display panel 10 may include a display area DA displaying an image,and a peripheral area PA surrounding the display area DA. The displayarea DA may include a plurality of pixels PX, and may display an imagethrough the plurality of pixels PX. Each of the plurality of pixels PXmay include subpixels. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of pixelsPX may include a red subpixel, a green subpixel, and a blue subpixel,for example. In an alternative embodiment, each of the plurality ofpixels PX may include red, green, blue, and white subpixels. However,the invention is not limited thereto, and each of the plurality ofpixels PX may include various other color subpixels.

The display area DA may include a main display area FDA, a side displayarea SDA, a round display area CDA, and a middle display area MDA. Aplurality of pixels PX arranged in each of the main display area FDA,the side display area SDA, the round display area CDA, and the middledisplay area MDA may display an image. In an embodiment, the respectivepixels PX of the main display area FDA, the side display area SDA, theround display area CDA, and the middle display area MDA may provideindependent images. In another embodiment, the respective pixels PX ofthe main display area FDA, the side display area SDA, the round displayarea CDA, and the middle display area MDA may provide portions of oneimage, respectively.

The main display area FDA may be a flat display area, and may includefirst pixels PX1 each including a main display element. In anembodiment, the main display area FDA may provide a most part of animage.

In an embodiment, the main display element may include a light-emittingdiode. The light-emitting diode may include an organic light-emittingdiode including an organic material, as an emission layer. In analternative embodiment, the light-emitting diode may include aninorganic light-emitting diode. In an alternative embodiment, thelight-emitting diode may include quantum dots as an emission layer. Inan embodiment, the size of the light-emitting diode may be microscale ornanoscale. In an embodiment, the light-emitting diode may be a microlight-emitting diode, for example. In another embodiment, thelight-emitting diode may be a nanorod light-emitting diode. The nanorodlight-emitting diode may include gallium nitride (GaN). In anembodiment, a color converting layer may be arranged on the nanorodlight-emitting diode. The color converting layer may include quantumdots.

For convenience of description, a case where the light-emitting diodeincludes an organic light-emitting diode will now be described indetail. In an embodiment, the organic light-emitting diode may include apixel electrode, an emission layer including an organic material, and anopposite electrode.

Pixels PX each including a side display element may be arranged in theside display area SDA. Accordingly, the side display area SDA maydisplay an image. In an embodiment, the side display area SDA mayinclude a first side display area SDA1, a second side display area SDA2,a third side display area SDA3, and a fourth side display area SDA4.According to some embodiments, at least one of the first side displayarea SDA1, the second side display area SDA2, the third side displayarea SDA3, and the fourth side display area SDA4 may be omitted.

The first side display area SDA1 and the third side display area SDA3may be connected to the main display area FDA in the first direction(e.g., the y direction or the −y direction). In an embodiment, the firstside display area SDA1 may extend from the main display area FDA in the−y direction, and the third side display area SDA3 may extend from themain display area FDA in the y direction, for example.

The first side display area SDA1 and the third side display area SDA3may be bent with radii of curvature. In an embodiment, the radii ofcurvature of the first side display area SDA1 and the third side displayarea SDA3 may be different from each other. In another embodiment, theradii of curvature of the first side display area SDA1 and the thirdside display area SDA3 may be the same as each other. A case where eachof the first side display area SDA1 and the third side display area SDA3has the same radius of curvature, namely, a first radius of curvatureR1, will now be described in detail. Because the first side display areaSDA1 and the third side display area SDA3 are the same as each other orsimilar to each other, the first side display area SDA1 will now befocused on and described in detail.

The second side display area SDA2 and the fourth side display area SDA4may be connected to the main display area FDA in the second direction(e.g., the x direction or the −x direction). In an embodiment, thesecond side display area SDA2 may extend from the main display area FDAin the −x direction, and the fourth side display area SDA4 may extendfrom the main display area FDA in the x direction, for example.

The second side display area SDA2 and the fourth side display area SDA4may be bent with radii of curvature. In an embodiment, the radii ofcurvature of the second side display area SDA2 and the fourth sidedisplay area SDA4 may be different from each other. In anotherembodiment, the radii of curvature of the second side display area SDA2and the fourth side display area SDA4 may be the same as each other. Acase where each of the second side display area SDA2 and the fourth sidedisplay area SDA4 has the same radius of curvature, namely, a secondradius of curvature R2, will now be described in detail. Because thesecond side display area SDA2 and the fourth side display area SDA4 arethe same as each other or similar to each other, the second side displayarea SDA2 will now be focused on and described in detail.

In an embodiment, the first radius of curvature R1 of the first sidedisplay area SDA1 may be different from the second radius of curvatureR2 of the second side display area SDA2. In an embodiment, the firstradius of curvature R1 may be less than the second radius of curvatureR2, for example. In another embodiment, the first radius of curvature R1may be greater than the second radius of curvature R2. In anotherembodiment, the first radius of curvature R1 of the first side displayarea SDA1 may be equal to the second radius of curvature R2 of thesecond side display area SDA2. A case where the first radius ofcurvature R1 is greater than the second radius of curvature R2 will nowbe focused on and described in detail.

The round display areas CDA may be arranged at each corner of the maindisplay area FDA and may be bent. In other words, the round displayareas CDA may be arranged to correspond to corner portions CP. Thecorner portions CP are the corners of the display area DA, and thus maybe portions of the display area DA where the longer edges of the displayarea DA in the first direction (e.g., the y direction or the −ydirection) and the shorter edges thereof in the second direction (e.g.,the x direction or the −x direction) meet each other. The round displayarea CDA may be disposed between adjacent side display areas SDA. In anembodiment, the round display area CDA may be disposed between the firstand second side display areas SDA1 and SDA2, for example. In analternative embodiment, the round display area CDA may be disposedbetween the second side display area SDA2 and the third side displayarea SDA3, between the third side display area SDA3 and the fourth sidedisplay area SDA4, or between the fourth side display area SDA4 and thefirst side display area SDA1. Accordingly, the side display area SDA andthe round display area CDA may surround the main display area FDA andmay be bent.

Second pixels PX2 each including a round display element may be arrangedin the round display area CDA. Accordingly, the round display area CDAmay display an image.

When the first radius of curvature R1 of the first side display areaSDA1 is different from the second radius of curvature R2 of the secondside display area SDA2, the radius of curvature of the round displayarea CDA may be gradually changed. In an embodiment, when the firstradius of curvature R1 of the first side display area SDA1 is greaterthan the second radius of curvature R2 of the second side display areaSDA2, the radius of curvature of the round display area CDA maygradually decrease from the first side display area SDA1 to the secondside display area SDA2. In an embodiment, the third radius of curvatureR3 of the round display area CDA may be less than the first radius ofcurvature R1 and may be greater than the second radius of curvature R2,for example.

The middle display area MDA may be disposed between the round displayarea CDA and the main display area FDA. In an embodiment, the middledisplay area MDA may extend between the side display area SDA and theround display area CDA. In an embodiment, the middle display area MDAmay extend between the first side display area SDA1 and the rounddisplay area CDA, for example. The middle display area MDA may alsoextend between the second side display area SDA2 and the round displayarea CDA.

The middle display area MDA may include third pixels PX3. In anembodiment, a driving circuit for providing an electrical signal orvoltage wiring for providing a voltage may be arranged in the middledisplay area MDA, and the third pixels PX3 may overlap the drivingcircuit or the power wiring. In this case, the middle display elementsof the third pixels PX3 may be disposed over the driving circuit or thepower wiring. In another embodiment, a round pixel circuit connected tothe round display element of the round display area CDA to apply asignal may be arranged in the middle display area MDA, and the drivingcircuit may be arranged in the round display area CDA. According to someembodiments, the driving circuit or the power wiring may be arranged inthe peripheral area PA, and the third pixels PX3 may not overlap thedriving circuit or the power wiring.

In the illustrated embodiment, the display device 1 may display an imagenot only in the main display area FDA but also in the side display areaSDA, the round display area CDA, and the middle display area MDA.Accordingly, occupancy of the display area DA in the display device 1may increase. Because the display device 1 is bent at its corners andincludes the round display areas CDA displaying an image, a sense ofbeauty may improve.

FIG. 3 is a schematic equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel circuit PCthat is applicable to a display panel.

Referring to FIG. 3, the pixel circuit PC may include a main pixelcircuit arranged in the main display area FDA and a side pixel circuitarranged in the side display area SDA. The pixel circuit PC may alsoinclude a middle pixel circuit, which is arranged in the middle displayarea MDA, and a round pixel circuit. The pixel circuit PC may beconnected to a display element, for example, an organic light-emittingdiode OLED, arranged in each area.

The pixel circuit PC may include a driving thin-film transistor T1, aswitching thin-film transistor T2, and a storage capacitor Cst. Theorganic light-emitting diode OLED may emit red light, green light, orblue light, or may emit red light, green light, blue light, or whitelight.

The switching thin-film transistor T2 may be connected to a scan line SLand a data line DL, and may transmit, to the driving thin-filmtransistor T1, a data signal or data voltage received via the data lineDL according to a scan signal or switching voltage received via the scanline SL. The storage capacitor Cst may be connected to the switchingthin-film transistor T2 and a driving voltage line PL, and may store avoltage corresponding to a difference between a voltage received fromthe switching thin-film transistor T2 and a first power supply voltageELVDD supplied to the driving voltage line PL.

The driving thin-film transistor T1 is connected to the driving voltageline PL and the storage capacitor Cst, and may control a driving currentflowing from the driving voltage line PL to the organic light-emittingdiode OLED, in accordance with a voltage value stored in the storagecapacitor Cst. The organic light-emitting diode OLED may emit lighthaving a predetermined brightness by the driving current. An oppositeelectrode (e.g., a cathode) of the organic light-emitting diode OLED mayreceive a second power supply voltage ELVSS. In an embodiment, a voltagelevel of the second power supply voltage ELVSS may be lower than that ofthe first power supply voltage ELVDD. In an embodiment, the oppositeelectrode (e.g., a cathode) of the organic light-emitting diode OLED maybe connected to the ground and receive a voltage of 0 volt (V).

In FIG. 3, the pixel circuit PC includes two thin-film transistors andone storage capacitor. However, the pixel circuit PC may include three,four, five, or more thin-film transistors.

FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the display panel10 according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the display panel 10 may include a displayelement. In an embodiment, the display panel 10 may be an organiclight-emitting display panel including an organic light-emitting diodeincluding an organic emission layer as a display element, for example.In an alternative embodiment, the display panel 10 may be alight-emitting diode display panel using a light-emitting diode (“LED”).The size of the light-emitting diode may be microscale or nanoscale. Inan alternative embodiment, the display panel 10 may be a quantum dotlight-emitting display panel using a quantum dot light-emitting diode.In an alternative embodiment, the display panel 10 may be an inorganiclight-emitting display panel using an inorganic light-emitting diode. Acase where the display panel 10 is an organic light-emitting displaypanel using an organic light-emitting diode as a display element willnow be focused on and described in detail.

The display panel 10 may include the display area DA and the peripheralarea PA. The display area DA displays an image by a plurality of pixelsPX, and the peripheral area PA surrounds at least a portion of thedisplay area DA. The display area DA may include a main display areaFDA, a side display area SDA, a round display area CDA, and a middledisplay area MDA.

Each of the pixels PX may include subpixels, and each of the subpixelsmay emit light of a predetermined color by an organic light-emittingdiode as a display element. A subpixel, as used herein, refers to alight-emission area as a minimum unit that realizes an image. When anorganic light-emitting diode is used as a display element, thelight-emission area may be defined by an opening of a pixel defininglayer. This will be described later.

Each organic light-emitting diode may emit, for example, red light,green light, or blue light. Each organic light-emitting diode may beconnected to a pixel circuit including a thin-film transistor and astorage capacitor.

The display panel 10 may include a substrate 100, and a multi-layerarranged on the substrate 100. The display area DA and the peripheralarea PA may be defined in the substrate 100 and/or the multi-layer. Inother words, the substrate 100 and/or the multi-layer may include themain display area FDA, the side display area SDA, the round display areaCDA, the middle display area MDA, and the peripheral area PA.

The substrate 100 may include polymer resin such as glass,polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylenenaphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polyphenylene sulfide,polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, or cellulose acetatepropionate. The substrate 100 including polymer resin may have flexible,rollable, and bendable characteristics. The substrate 100 may have amulti-layered structure including a base layer including theaforementioned polymer resin and a barrier layer (not shown).

The peripheral area PA does not provide an image, and thus may be anon-display area. A driving circuit DC for providing an electricalsignal to each pixel PX or power wiring for providing power, forexample, may be arranged in the peripheral area PA. The driving circuitDC for providing the electrical signal to each pixel PX through a signalline may be arranged in the peripheral area PA. In an embodiment, thedriving circuit DC may be a scan driving circuit that provides a scansignal to each pixel P via a scan line SL, for example. In analternative embodiment, the driving circuit DC may be a data drivingcircuit DDC that provides a data signal to each pixel P via a data lineDL. In an embodiment, the data driving circuit DDC may be arranged onone lateral side of the display panel 10 to be adjacent thereto. In anembodiment, the data driving circuit DDC in the peripheral region PA maybe arranged to correspond to the first side display area SDA1, forexample.

The peripheral area PA may include a pad unit (not shown) that is anarea where an electronic device, a printed circuit board (“PCB”), or thelike may be electrically connected. The pad unit may be exposed withoutbeing covered with an insulating layer, and may be electricallyconnected to a flexible PCB (“FPCB”). The FPCB may electrically connecta controller to the pad unit, and may provide a signal or power receivedfrom the controller. In some embodiments, the data driving circuit DDCmay be disposed on the FPCB.

First pixels PX1 each including a display element may be arranged in themain display area FDA. The main display area FDA may be a flat portion.In an embodiment, the main display area FDA may provide a most part ofan image.

The side display area SDA may include pixels PX each including a displayelement and may be bent. In other words, the side display area SDA maybe bent from the main display area FDA as described above with referenceto FIG. 1. In an embodiment, a width of the side display area SDA maygradually decrease in a direction away from the main display area FDA.In an embodiment, the side display area SDA may include a first sidedisplay area SDA1, a second side display area SDA2, a third side displayarea SDA3, and a fourth side display area SDA4.

The first side display area SDA1 and the third side display area SDA3may be connected to the main display area FDA in the first direction(e.g., the y direction or the −y direction). The first side display areaSDA1 and the third side display area SDA3 may extend from the maindisplay area FDA in the first direction (e.g., the y direction or the −ydirection). The second side display area SDA2 and the fourth sidedisplay area SDA4 may be connected to the main display area FDA in thesecond direction (e.g., the x direction or the −x direction). The secondside display area SDA2 and the fourth side display area SDA4 may extendfrom the main display area FDA in the second direction (e.g., the xdirection or the −x direction).

The round display area CDA may be disposed between adjacent side displayareas SDA. In an embodiment, the round display area CDA may be disposedbetween the first and second side display areas SDA1 and SDA2, forexample. In an alternative embodiment, the round display area CDA may bedisposed between the second side display area SDA2 and the third sidedisplay area SDA3, between the third side display area SDA3 and thefourth side display area SDA4, or between the fourth side display areaSDA4 and the first side display area SDA1. The round display area CDAarranged between the first side display area SDA1 and the second sidedisplay area SDA2 will now be focused on and described in detail.

The round display area CDA may be arranged to correspond to each cornerportion CP of the display area DA. The corner portions CP are thecorners of the display area DA, and thus may be portions of the displayarea DA where the longer edges of the display area DA in the firstdirection (e.g., the y direction or the −y direction) and the shorteredges thereof in the second direction (e.g., the x direction or the −xdirection) meet each other.

The round display area CDA may surround at least a portion of the maindisplay area CDA. In an embodiment, the round display area CDA may bedisposed between the first side display area SDA1 and the second sidedisplay area SDA2 and may surround at least a portion of the maindisplay area FDA, for example.

The round display area CDA may include second pixels PX2 each includinga display element and may be bent. In other words, the round displayarea CDA may be arranged in correspondence with the corner portion CPand may be bent from the main display area FDA, as described above withreference to FIG. 1.

The middle display area MDA may be disposed between the main displayarea FDA and the round display area CDA. In an embodiment, the middledisplay area MDA may extend between the side display area SDA and theround display area CDA. In an embodiment, the middle display area MDAmay extend between the first side display area SDA1 and the rounddisplay area CDA and/or between the second side display area SDA2 andthe round display area CDA, for example. In an embodiment, the middledisplay area MDA may be bent.

Third pixels PX3 each including a middle display element may be arrangedin the middle display area MDA. A plurality of middle display elementsmay be included. In this case, some of the plurality of middle displayelements that emit light of the same color may be connected to eachother and may simultaneously emit light beams. In an embodiment, theplurality of middle display elements may include a first middle displayelement that emits light of a first color, a second middle displayelement that emits light of a second color, and a third middle displayelement that emits light of a third color, for example. In this case, aplurality of first middle display elements, a plurality of second middledisplay elements, and a plurality of third middle display elements maybe included. In this case, some of the plurality of first middle displayelements may be connected to each other and may simultaneously emitlight beams, some of the plurality of second middle display elements maybe connected to each other and may simultaneously emit light beams, andsome of the plurality of third middle display elements may be connectedto each other and may simultaneously emit light beams. The number offirst middle display elements connected to each other, the number ofsecond middle display elements connected to each other, and the numberof third middle display elements connected to each other may be the sameas each other or different from each other. In detail, two first middledisplay elements may be connected to each other, two second middledisplay elements may be connected to each other, and two third middledisplay elements may be connected to each other. In another embodiment,one of the number of first middle display elements connected to eachother, the number of second middle display elements connected to eachother, and the number of third middle display elements connected to eachother may be eight, and the other numbers may be each four.

In an embodiment, a driving circuit DC for providing an electricalsignal or power wiring (not shown) for providing a voltage may also bearranged in the middle display area MDA. In an embodiment, the drivingcircuit DC may pass through the middle display area MDA and may bearranged along the peripheral area PA. In this case, the third pixelsPX3 arranged in the middle display area MDA may overlap the drivingcircuit DC or the power wiring. In another embodiment, the third pixelsPX3 may not overlap the driving circuit DC or the power wiring. In thiscase, the driving circuit DC may be arranged along the peripheral areaPA. In another embodiment, the driving circuit DC may be arranged on aboundary between the middle display area MDA and the round display areaCDA. In another embodiment, the driving circuit DC may be arranged tooverlap the second pixels PX2 of the round display area CDA. Forconvenience of explanation, a case where the driving circuit DC isarranged on the boundary between the middle display area MDA and theround display area CDA will now be focused on and described in detail.

In this case, a round pixel circuit that is connected to the rounddisplay element of the round display area CDA and controls the rounddisplay element may be arranged in the middle display area MDA. A middlepixel circuit that is connected to the middle display element of themiddle display area MDA and controls the middle display element may alsobe arranged in the middle display area MDA.

At least one of the side display area SDA, the round display area CDA,and the middle display area MDA may be bent. In this case, the firstside display area SDA1 of the side display area SDA may be bent with afirst radius of curvature, and the second side display area SDA2 of theside display area SDA may be bent with a second radius of curvature.When the first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius ofcurvature, the radius of curvature with which the round display area CDAis bent may gradually decrease from the first side display area SDA1 tothe second side display area SDA2.

When the round display area CDA is bent, a compressive strain may begenerated more greatly than a tensile strain in the round display areaCDA. In this case, a shrinkable substrate and a shrinkable multi-layeredstructure need to be applied to the round display area CDA. Accordingly,the shape of a stack of multiple layers or a substrate 100 arranged inthe round display area CDA may be different from that of a stack ofmultiple layers or a substrate 100 arranged in the main display areaFDA.

FIG. 4B is a magnified view of a portion A of the display panel 10 ofFIG. 4A.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a plurality of first pixels PX1 may be arranged inthe main display area FDA and/or the side display area SDA. Each of theplurality of first pixels PX1 may include a first red subpixel Pr1, afirst green subpixel Pg1, and a first blue subpixel Pb1. In anembodiment, the first pixel PX1 includes subpixels arranged in a PenTileconfiguration. In this case, one first red subpixel Pr1, two first greensubpixels Pg1, and one first blue subpixel Pb1 may constitute one firstpixel PX1. Each of the first red subpixel Pr1, the first green subpixelPg1, and the first blue subpixel Pb1 may correspond to a first maindisplay element, a second main display element, and a third main displayelement.

A plurality of second pixel pixels PX2 may be arranged in the rounddisplay area CDA, and a plurality of third pixels PX3 may be arranged inthe middle display area MDA. Each of the plurality of second pixels PX2may include a second red subpixel Pr2, a second green subpixel Pg2, anda second blue subpixel Pb2. Each of the second red subpixel Pr2, thesecond green subpixel Pg2, and the second blue subpixel Pb2 maycorrespond to a first round display element, a second round displayelement, and a third round display element. Each of the plurality ofthird pixels PX3 may include a third red subpixel Pr3, a third greensubpixel Pg3, and a third blue subpixel Pb3. Each of the third redsubpixel Pr3, the third green subpixel Pg3, and the third blue subpixelPb3 may correspond to a first middle display element, a second middledisplay element, and a third middle display element. Although aplurality of third pixels PX3 are arranged in one column along themiddle display area MDA in FIG. 4B, the plurality of third pixels PX3may be also arranged near the side of the round display area CDA and/orthe main display area FDA and thus may be arranged in a plurality ofcolumns.

In an embodiment, the second pixels PX2 and the third pixels PX3 may bearranged in the same configuration as the configuration in which thefirst pixels PX1 are arranged.

Each of the second pixels PX2 and the third pixels PX3 may includesubpixels. Each of the second pixels PX2 may include one second redsubpixel Pr2, two second green subpixels Pg2, and one second bluesubpixel Pb2. Each of the third pixels PX3 may include one third redsubpixel Pr3, two third green subpixels Pg3, and one third blue subpixelPb3.

Because a planar area of the second pixel PX2 is the same as a planararea of the third pixel PX3, an image quality difference that may begenerated between the round display area CDA and the middle display areaMDA may be removed or minimized.

Voltage wiring VWL may be arranged in the middle display area MDAdisposed between the round display area CDA and the main display areaFDA. At least one of the third pixels PX3 arranged in the middle displayarea MDA may overlap the voltage wiring VWL. In this case, becausepixels may also be arranged in the area where the voltage wiring VWL isarranged, the area may be used as the display area DA. The voltagewiring VWL may be initializing voltage lines and/or common voltagelines. An initializing voltage, a common voltage, or the like may beapplied to the voltage wiring VWL.

In an embodiment, the second pixels PX2 arranged in the round displayarea CDA may be electrically connected to the round pixel circuitarranged in the middle display area MDA. The third pixels PX3 arrangedin the middle display area MDA may be electrically connected to themiddle pixel circuit arranged in the middle display area MDA.

In the second pixels PX2 and the third pixels PX3, some of the subpixelsarranged in each second pixel PX2 and some of the subpixels arranged ineach third pixel PX3 may be connected to each other and maysimultaneously emit light beams. In an embodiment, a plurality of secondred subpixels Pr2 adjacent to each other and different from each othermay be connected to each other and may simultaneously emit light beams,a plurality of second green subpixels Pg2 adjacent to each other anddifferent from each other may be connected to each other and maysimultaneously emit light beams, and a plurality of second bluesubpixels Pb2 adjacent to each other and different from each other maybe connected to each other and may simultaneously emit light beams, forexample.

In this case, display elements arranged in the round display area CDAand the middle display area MDA may constitute a single group and may berepeatedly arranged. In an embodiment, the round display area CDA mayinclude a round display element area including a plurality of rounddisplay elements that are arranged in the round display area CDA,connected to each other, and simultaneously emit light beams, forexample. The round display element area may be defined in the firstdirection in a quadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular or square shape).When the round display element area has a quadrangular shape (e.g.,rectangular shape), the round display element area may include fourthird round display elements (or second blue subpixels Pb2), four firstround display elements (or second red subpixels Pr2), and eight secondround display elements (or second green subpixels Pg2). When the rounddisplay element area has a quadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular orsquare shape), the round display element area may include two thirdround display elements (or second blue subpixels Pb2), two first rounddisplay elements (or second red subpixels Pr2), and four second rounddisplay elements (or second green subpixels Pg2).

The plurality of middle display elements arranged in the middle displayarea MDA may provide the same configuration as that in which theplurality of round display elements are arranged. In this case, themiddle display area MDA may include a middle display element area inwhich middle display elements connected to each other and emitting lightbeams of the same color from among the plurality of middle displayelements are arranged. The middle display element area may have aquadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular or square shape). In anembodiment, when the middle display element area has a quadrangularshape (e.g., rectangular shape), the middle display element area mayinclude four third middle display elements (or third blue subpixelsPb3), four first middle display elements (or third red subpixels Pr3),and eight second middle display elements (or third green subpixels Pg3),for example. When the middle display element area has a quadrangularshape (e.g., rectangular or square shape), the middle display elementarea may include two third middle display elements (or second bluesubpixels Pb2), two first middle display elements (or second redsubpixels Pr2), and four second middle display elements (or second greensubpixels Pg2).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the portion A taken along line B-B′of FIG. 4B.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display panel may include the substrate 100, abuffer layer 111, a pixel circuit layer PCL, an inorganic pattern layerPVX2, a display element layer DEL, and a thin-film encapsulation layerTFE.

The buffer layer 111 may be disposed on the substrate 100. The bufferlayer 111 may include an inorganic insulating material, such as siliconnitride (SiN_(x)), silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), or silicon oxide(SiO_(x)), and may be a single layer or multiple layers including theinorganic insulating material.

The pixel circuit layer PCL may be disposed on the buffer layer 111. Thepixel circuit layer PCL may include pixel circuits PC. The pixelcircuits PC may be disposed in the main display area FDA and the middledisplay area MDA. The pixel circuits PC may include a main pixel circuitPC1 arranged in the main display area FDA, and a middle pixel circuitPC3 arranged in the main display area FDA or the middle display areaMDA. For convenience of description, a case where the middle pixelcircuit PC3 is arranged in the middle display area MDA will now befocused on and described in detail.

The main pixel circuit PC1 may be connected to a main organiclight-emitting diode FOLED, and the middle pixel circuit PC3 may beconnected to a middle organic light-emitting diode MOLED through a thirdconnection line CL3. Because the main pixel circuit PC1 and the middlepixel circuit PC3 are the same as or similar to each other, the mainpixel circuit PC1 will now be focused on and described in detail.

The main pixel circuit PC1 may include a driving thin-film transistorT1, a switching thin-film transistor T2, and a storage capacitor Cst.The pixel circuit layer PCL may include an inorganic insulating layerIIL, a first insulating layer 115, and a second insulating layer 116arranged below and/or over the components of the driving thin-filmtransistor T1. The inorganic insulating layer IIL may include a firstgate insulating layer 112, a second gate insulating layer 113, and aninter-insulating layer 114.

The driving thin-film transistor T1 may include a semiconductor layerACT, a gate electrode GE, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrodeDE.

The semiconductor layer ACT may include polysilicon. In an alternativeembodiment, the semiconductor layer ACT may include, for example,amorphous silicon, an oxide semiconductor, or an organic semiconductor.The semiconductor layer ACT may include a channel region, and a sourceregion and a drain region respectively arranged on both sides of thechannel region. The gate electrode GE may overlap the channel region.

The gate electrode GE may include a low resistance metal material. Thegate electrode GE may include a conductive material including molybdenum(Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and titanium (Ti), and may be formedor provided as a multi-layer or single layer including theaforementioned materials.

The first gate insulating layer 112 between the semiconductor layer ACTand the gate electrode GE may include an inorganic insulating materialsuch as silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), siliconoxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide(TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), or zinc oxide(ZnO).

The second gate insulating layer 113 may be included to cover the gateelectrode GE. Similar to the first gate insulating layer 112, the secondgate insulating layer 113 may include an inorganic insulating materialsuch as silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), siliconoxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide(TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), or zinc oxide(ZnO).

An upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst may be disposed onthe second gate insulating layer 113. The upper electrode CE2 mayoverlap the gate electrode GE disposed therebelow. The gate electrode GEof the driving thin-film transistor T1 and the upper electrode CE2,which overlap each other with the second gate insulating layer 113therebetween, may constitute the storage capacitor Cst. In other words,the gate electrode GE may function as a lower electrode CE1 of thestorage capacitor Cst.

Thus, the storage capacitor Cst and the driving thin-film transistor T1may overlap each other. In an embodiment, the storage capacitor Cst andthe driving thin-film transistor T1 may not overlap each other.

The upper electrode CE2 may include aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt),palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni),neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), calcium (Ca), molybdenum(Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and/or copper (Cu), and may be asingle layer or multi-layer including the aforementioned materials.

The inter-insulating layer 114 may cover the upper electrode CE2. Theinter-insulating layer 114 may include SiO_(x), SiN_(x), SiO_(x)N_(y),Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Ta₂O₅, HfO₂, ZnO, or the like. The inter-insulating layer114 may be a single layer or multi-layer including the aforementionedinorganic insulating materials.

The drain electrode DE and the source electrode SE may be disposed onthe inter-insulating layer 114. The drain electrodes DE and the sourceelectrode SE may include a highly conductive material. Each of thesource electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may include a conductivematerial including Mo, Al, Cu, and Ti, and may be a multi-layer orsingle layer including the aforementioned materials. In an embodiment,the drain electrodes DE and the source electrode SE may have amulti-layer structure of Ti/Al/Ti.

Similar to the driving thin-film transistor T1, the switching thin-filmtransistor T2 may include a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, asource electrode, and a drain electrode.

The first insulating layer 115 may cover the drain electrode DE and thesource electrode SE. The first insulating layer 115 may include anorganic material. In an embodiment, the first insulating layer 115 mayinclude an organic insulating material, such as a commercial polymer(such as polymethyl methacrylate (“PMMA”) or polystyrene (“PS”)), apolymer derivative having a phenol-based group, an acryl-based polymer,an imide-based polymer, an acryl ether-based polymer, an amide-basedpolymer, a fluorine-based polymer, a p-xylene-based polymer, a vinylalcohol-based polymer, or a combination thereof, for example.

A connection electrode CML and the third connection line CL3 may bearranged on the first insulating layer 115. In this case, the connectionelectrode CML and the third connection line CL3 may be connected to thedrain electrode DE or the source electrode SE through a contact hole ofthe first insulating layer 115. The connection electrode CML and thethird connection line CL3 may include a highly conductive material. Eachof the connection electrode CML and the third connection line CL3 mayinclude a conductive material including Mo, Al, Cu, Ti, etc., and may bea multi-layer or single layer including the aforementioned materials. Inan embodiment, the connection electrode CML may have a multi-layerstructure of Ti/Al/Ti.

The third connection line CL3 may extend in one direction in the middledisplay area MDA.

The second insulating layer 116 may cover the connection electrode CMLand the third connection line CL3. The second insulating layer 116 mayinclude an organic insulating material. The second insulating layer 116may include an organic insulating material, such as a commercial polymer(such as PMMA or PS), a polymer derivative having a phenol-based group,an acryl-based polymer, an imide-based polymer, an acryl ether-basedpolymer, an amide-based polymer, a fluorine-based polymer, ap-xylene-based polymer, a vinyl alcohol-based polymer, or a combinationthereof.

The inorganic pattern layer PVX2 may be disposed on the secondinsulating layer 116. In detail, the inorganic pattern layer PVX2 mayoverlap the middle display area MDA. The inorganic pattern layer PVX2may be a single layer or multi-layer including inorganic materials suchas SiN_(x) and/or SiO_(x). In some embodiments, the inorganic patternlayer PVX2 may be omitted.

The display element layer DEL may be disposed on the pixel circuit layerPCL. The display element layer DEL may include an organic light-emittingdiode OLED. In detail, the display element layer DEL may include themain organic light-emitting diode (also referred to as a front organiclight-emitting diode) FOLED arranged in the main display area FDA andthe middle organic light-emitting diode MOLED arranged in the middledisplay area MDA. In this case, the middle organic light-emitting diodeMOLED may be disposed on the inorganic pattern layer PVX2. In this case,one main organic light-emitting diode FOLED may refer to one subpixel.One main organic light-emitting diode FOLED may be one main displayelement.

A pixel electrode 211 of the front organic light-emitting diode FOLEDmay be electrically connected to the connecting electrode CML through acontact hole of the second insulating layer 116. A pixel electrode 211of the middle organic light-emitting diode MOLED may be electricallyconnected to a third connection line CL3 through a contact hole of thesecond insulating layer 116.

The pixel electrode 211 may include conductive oxide such as indium tinoxide (“ITO”), indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide(In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide (“IGO”), or aluminum zinc oxide (“AZO”).In another embodiment, the pixel electrode 211 may include a reflectionlayer including, for example, silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), aluminum(Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium(Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), or a combination of these materials.In another embodiment, the pixel electrode 211 may further include afilm including ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In₂O₃ above/below the reflection layer.

A pixel defining layer 118 in which an opening 1180P exposing a centerportion of the pixel electrode 211 is defined may be arranged on thepixel electrode 211. The pixel defining layer 118 may include an organicinsulating material and/or an inorganic insulating material. The opening1180P may define a light-emission area of light emitted by the organiclight-emitting diode OLED (hereinafter, also referred to as alight-emission area EA). In an embodiment, a width of the opening 1180Pmay correspond to a width of the light-emission area EA, for example.

A spacer 119 may be disposed on the pixel defining layer 118. The spacer119 may be included to prevent damage to the substrate 100 or amulti-layered film on the substrate 100, in a method of manufacturing adisplay device. In a method of manufacturing a display panel, a masksheet may be used. In this case, the mask sheet may enter the opening1180P of the pixel defining layer 118 or may adhere to the pixeldefining layer 118. The spacer 119 may prevent a defect such as damageto or destruction of a portion of the substrate 100 and themulti-layered film by the mask sheet when a deposition material isdeposited on the substrate 100.

The spacer 119 may include an organic material such as polyimide. In analternative embodiment, the spacer 119 may include an inorganicinsulating material such as silicon nitride (SiN_(x)) or silicon oxide(SiO_(x)), or may include an inorganic insulating material and anorganic insulating material.

In an embodiment, the spacer 119 may include a material different fromthat included in the pixel defining layer 118. In another embodiment,the spacer 119 may include the same material as that included in thepixel defining layer 118. In this case, the pixel defining layer 118 andthe spacer 119 may be formed or provided together in a mask processusing a halftone mask or the like.

An intermediate layer 212 may be disposed on the pixel defining layer118. The intermediate layer 212 may include an emission layer 212 barranged in the opening 1180P of the pixel defining layer 118. Theemission layer 212 b may include a low molecular weight or highmolecular weight organic material that emits light of a predeterminedcolor.

A first functional layer 212 a and a second functional layer 212 c maybe arranged below and above the emission layer 212 b, respectively. Thefirst functional layer 212 a may include a hole transport layer (“HTL”),or may include an HTL and a hole injection layer (“HIL”). The secondfunctional layer 212 c is a component arranged above the emission layer212 b, and is optional. The second functional layer 212 c may include anelectron transport layer (“ETL”) and/or an electron injection layer(“EIL”). The first functional layer 212 a and/or the second functionallayer 212 c may be a common layer that covers the entire surface of thesubstrate 100, similar to an opposite electrode 213 to be describedlater.

The opposite electrode 213 may include a conductive material having alow work function. In an embodiment, the opposite electrode 213 mayinclude a (semi)transparent layer including, for example, silver (Ag),magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au),nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li),calcium (Ca) or an alloy of these materials, for example. In analternative embodiment, the opposite electrode 213 may further include alayer, such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In₂O₃, on the (semi)transparent layerincluding any of the above-described materials.

In some embodiments, a capping layer (not shown) may be further arrangedon the opposite electrode 213. The capping layer may include lithiumfluoride (LiF), an inorganic material, or/and an organic material.

The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the oppositeelectrode 213. In an embodiment, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEmay include at least one inorganic encapsulation layer and at least oneorganic encapsulation layer. In an embodiment, FIG. 7 illustrates thethin-film encapsulation layer TFE including a first inorganicencapsulation layer 310, an organic encapsulation layer 320, and asecond inorganic encapsulation layer 330 sequentially stacked on eachother.

The first inorganic encapsulation layer 310 and the second inorganicencapsulation layer 330 may include at least one inorganic material fromamong aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide,zinc oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. Theorganic encapsulation layer 320 may include a polymer-based material.Examples of the polymer-based material may include an acrylic resin, anepoxy-based resin, polyimide, or polyethylene. In an embodiment, theorganic encapsulation layer 320 may include acrylate.

Although not shown in the drawings, a touch electrode layer may bearranged on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, and an opticalfunctional layer may be arranged on the touch electrode layer. The touchelectrode layer may obtain coordinate information based on an externalinput, for example, a touch event. The optical functional layer mayreduce reflectance of light (external light) externally incident towardthe display device, and/or may improve color purity of light emitted bythe display device. In an embodiment, the optical functional layer mayinclude a phase retarder and/or a polarizer. The phase retarder may beof a film type or liquid coating type, and may include a λ/2 phaseretarder and/or a λ/4 phase retarder. The polarizer may also be of afilm type or liquid coating type. The film type may include astretchable synthetic resin film, and the liquid coating type mayinclude liquid crystals arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Thephase retarder and the polarizer may further include protective films,respectively.

In another embodiment, the optical functional layer may include a blackmatrix and color filters. The color filters may be arranged by takinginto account the colors of light beams respectively emitted by thepixels of the display device. Each of the color filters may include apigment or dye of a red, green, or blue color. In an alternativeembodiment, each of the color filters may further include quantum dotsin addition to the above-described pigment or dye. In an alternativeembodiment, some of the color filters may not include theabove-described pigment or dye, and may include scattered particles suchas titanium oxide.

In another embodiment, the optical functional layer may include adestructive interference structure. The destructive interferencestructure may include a first reflection layer and a second reflectionlayer arranged in different layers. First reflected light and secondreflected light respectively reflected by the first reflection layer andthe second reflection layer may destructively interfere with each other,and thus the reflectance of external light may be reduced.

An adhesion member may be disposed between the touch electrode layer andthe optical functional layer. The adhesion member may employ a generaladhesion member known to the art without limitation. The adhesion membermay be a pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”).

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the portion A taken along line C-C′of FIG. 4B.

Referring to FIG. 6, a display panel may include the middle display areaMDA and the round display area CDA. The display panel may be similar tothat described above with reference to FIG. 5. Differences between thedisplay panels of FIGS. 5 and 6 will now be focused on and described indetail.

The middle display area MDA and the round display area CDA may beadjacent to each other. In this case, a round pixel circuit PC2connected to a round organic light-emitting diode COLED arranged in theround display area CDA through a second connection line CL2, and themiddle pixel circuit PC3 of FIG. 5 connected to the middle organiclight-emitting diode MOLED arranged in the middle display area MDAthrough the third connection line CL3 may be arranged in the middledisplay area MDA. A driving circuit DC may be arranged in the middledisplay area MDA or the round display area CDA. For convenience ofexplanation, a case where the driving circuit DC is arranged in theround display area CDA will now be focused on and described in detail.In this case, the round pixel circuit PC2 may be the same as or similarto the main pixel circuit PC1 and the middle pixel circuit PC3 describedabove with reference to FIG. 5.

The pixel circuit layer PCL including the driving circuit DC, the roundpixel circuit PC2, and the middle pixel circuit PC3 may be arranged onthe buffer layer 111.

The driving circuit DC may include a driving circuit thin-filmtransistor DC-TFT. In an embodiment, the driving circuit DC may beconnected to a scan line. The pixel circuit PC may include a drivingthin-film transistor T1, a switching thin-film transistor T2, and astorage capacitor Cst.

In this case, the second connection line CL2 may overlap the drivingcircuit thin-film transistor DC-TFT. Similar to the driving thin-filmtransistor T1, the driving circuit thin-film transistor DC-TFT mayinclude a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, anda drain electrode.

In this case, the round organic light-emitting diode COLED arranged inthe round display area CDA may be connected to the round pixel circuitPC2 arranged in the middle display area MDA through the secondconnection line CL2. The middle organic light-emitting diode MOLEDarranged in the middle display area MDA may be connected to a thirdpixel circuit PC2-3 arranged in the middle display area MDA through thethird connection line CL3.

In this case, the driving circuit DC may be arranged under the roundorganic light-emitting diode COLED or may be arranged between the roundorganic light-emitting diode COLED and the middle organic light-emittingdiode MOLED arranged in the middle display area MDA.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of an arrangement of pixels of amain display area of a display panel according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of first pixels PX1 may be arranged inthe main display area FDA. Each first pixel PX1 may include a pluralityof subpixels each of which is a minimum unit that realizes an image.Each subpixel may be defined as an emission area where a main displayelement (or a main organic light-emitting diode) emits light.Accordingly, an arrangement of the subpixels described below may besimilar to or substantially the same as an arrangement of main displayelements.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first pixels PX1 may includea first red subpixel Pr1, a first green subpixel Pg1, and a first bluesubpixel Pb1. The first red subpixel Pr1, the first green subpixel Pg1,and the first blue subpixel Pb1 may emit light beams of a red color, agreen color, and a blue color, respectively.

In an embodiment, the main display area FDA may be divided into aplurality of subpixel areas PXA. One subpixel may be arranged in eachsubpixel area PXA1. Although one subpixel area PXA has a quadrangularplanar shape (e.g., rectangular planar shape), embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. One subpixel area PXA may have ashape of a polygon such as a triangle, a square, or a pentagon.

Although not shown in the drawings, a main pixel circuit PC1 connectedto one subpixel may be arranged in each subpixel area PXA1. In thiscase, the main pixel circuit PC1 may be arranged in the same directionas the direction in which a longer edge of each subpixel area PXA isarranged, and one main pixel circuit PC1 may be arranged within eachsubpixel area PXA1. In another embodiment, the main pixel circuit PC1may define a predetermined angle with the longer edge of the subpixelarea PXA and thus may be arranged over a subpixel area PXA1 adjacent tothe former subpixel area PXA1.

Two subpixel areas PXA1 may constitute one main unit area U1. In thiscase, in a plan view, the first red subpixel Pr1 and the first greensubpixel Pg1 may be arranged in the main unit area U1, or the firstgreen subpixel Pg1 and the first blue subpixel Pb1 may be arranged inthe main unit area U1. Main pixel circuits PC1 respectively connected tothe subpixels arranged in the main unit area U1 may be arranged in themain unit area U1. In this case, in a plan view, two subpixels and twomain pixel circuits PC1 may be arranged in the main unit area U1. Themain unit area U1 may include a first width X1 in the second directionand a second width Y1 in the first direction, and may have aquadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular or square shape).

The plurality of subpixel areas PXA may be arranged in a matrixconfiguration. In an embodiment, the plurality of subpixel areas PXA maybe two-dimensionally arranged in a row direction (e.g., the x direction)and a column direction (e.g., the y direction). FIG. 7 illustrates aplurality of subpixel areas PXA arranged in a first row 1N through to afourth row 4N sequentially adjacent to each other and in a first column1M to an eighth column 8M sequentially adjacent to each other. Thenumbers of rows and columns in which the subpixel areas PXA are arrangedmay be determined according to a resolution and a design of the displaydevice 1.

In an embodiment, a first red subpixel Pr1, a first green subpixel Pg1,a first blue subpixel Pb1, and another first green subpixel Pg1 may bearranged alternately with each other in the first row 1N, and thisarrangement may be repeated. The first red subpixels Pr1, the firstgreen subpixels Pg1, and the first blue subpixels Pb1 may be spacedapart from each other at predetermined intervals and may be arranged ina zigzag configuration in the row direction. A first blue subpixel Pb1,a first red subpixel Pr1, a first green subpixel Pg1, and another firstgreen subpixel Pg1 may be arranged alternately with each other in thesecond row 2N, and this arrangement may be repeated. The first bluesubpixels Pb1, the first green subpixels Pg1, and the first redsubpixels Pr1 may be spaced apart from each other at predeterminedintervals and may be arranged in a zigzag configuration in the rowdirection. A subpixel arrangement in a third row 3N may be substantiallythe same as that in the first row 1N, and a subpixel arrangement in afourth row 4N may be substantially the same as that in the second row2N. These subpixel arrangements may be repeated to an n-th row (where nis a predefined natural number).

In an embodiment, first red subpixels Pr1 and first blue subpixels Pb1may be arranged alternately with each other in a first column 1M, andthis arrangement may be repeated. The first red subpixels Pr1 and thefirst blue subpixels Pb1 may be arranged with a predetermined intervalfrom each other. First green subpixels Pg1 may be arranged with apredetermined interval from each other in a second column 2M. A subpixelarrangement in a third column 3M may be substantially the same as thatin the first column 1M, and a subpixel arrangement in a fourth column 4Mmay be substantially the same as that in the second column 2M. Thesesubpixel arrangements may be repeated to an m-th row (where m is apredefined natural number and may be the same as or different from n).

For example, the first blue subpixel Pb1 and the first red subpixel Pr1may be larger than the first green subpixel Pg1, and the first bluesubpixel Pb1 may be larger than the first red subpixel Pr1.

Describing this subpixel arrangement structure differently, first redsubpixels Pr1 may be arranged at first and third facing vertexes of thefour vertexes of a virtual quadrilateral VS having a center point of afirst green subpixel Pg1 as its center point, and first blue subpixelsPb1 may be arranged at the remaining vertexes. The virtual quadrilateralVS may be a rectangle, a rhombus, a square, or the like.

By applying rendering in which a color of a subpixel is expressed bysharing the colors of its adjacent subpixels through the above-describedsubpixel layout structure, a high resolution may be obtained via a smallnumber of subpixels.

Although the subpixel arrangement of FIG. 7 is an example, embodimentsof the invention are not limited thereto. In an embodiment, a pluralityof subpixels may be arranged in various configurations, such as a stripestructure, a mosaic arrangement structure, and a delta arrangementstructure.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of an embodiment of arrangement and connection ofpixels of a round display area of a display panel according to theinvention.

Referring to FIG. 8A, second pixels PX2 and third pixels (not shown)each including a plurality of subpixels may be arranged in each of theround display area CDA and the middle display area MDA. In this case,the round display area CDA and the middle display area MDA may have thesame subpixel layouts or similar subpixel layouts. In this case, roundpixel circuits PC2 may not be arranged in the round display area CDA,and round pixel circuits PC2 and middle pixel circuits (not shown) maybe arranged in the middle display area MDA. For convenience ofdescription, subpixels arranged in the round display area CDA and around pixel circuit PC2 arranged in the middle display area MDA will nowbe described in detail. In this case, the round pixel circuit PC2 mayinclude a first pixel circuit PC2-1, a second pixel circuit PC2-2, athird pixel circuit PC2-3, and a fourth pixel circuit PC2-4.

Sixteen subpixel areas PXA may constitute a single round display elementarea U2. In this case, the single round display element area U2 may be aset of subpixel areas PXA arranged in four rows and four columns, andmay include the components arranged in the sixteen subpixel areas PXA.In an embodiment, the round display element area U2 may include sixteendisplay elements, namely, first through sixteenth display elements LE1through LE16. FIG. 8A illustrates two round display element areas U2,for example. One round display element area U2 will now be focused onand described in detail.

In an embodiment, the first pixel circuit PC2-1 may commonly drive notonly the first display element LE1 and the second display element LE2but also the ninth display element LE9 and the tenth display elementLE10. In other words, the first display element LE1, the second displayelement LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenth displayelement LE10 may be commonly driven (or controlled) by one pixelcircuit, for example, the first pixel circuit PC2-1.

In an embodiment, the first display element LE1, the second displayelement LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenth displayelement LE10 may be arranged in different rows, for example. In anembodiment, the first display element LE1 may be arranged in a first row1N, the second display element LE2 may be arranged in a second row 2N,the ninth display element LE9 may be arranged in a third row 3N, and thetenth display element LE10 may be arranged in a fourth row 4N, forexample. In an embodiment, the first display element LE1 and the seconddisplay element LE2 may be arranged in different columns, and the ninthdisplay element LE9 and the tenth display element LE10 may be arrangedin different columns, for example. In an embodiment, the first displayelement LE1 and the ninth display element LE9 may be arranged in thefirst row N1, and the second display element LE2 and the tenth displayelement LE10 may be arranged in the third row N3, for example.

In an embodiment, a plurality of display elements LE that are commonlydriven by one pixel circuit PC may be electrically connected to oneanother. In an embodiment, the first display element LE1, the seconddisplay element LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenthdisplay element LE10 may be electrically connected to one another. Tothis end, according to some embodiments, a first conductive layer CL2-1electrically connecting the first display element LE1, the seconddisplay element LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenthdisplay element LE10 to one another may be included. The firstconductive layer CL2-1 may be electrically connected to the first pixelcircuit PC2-1, for example. In a plan view, the first conductive layerCL2-1 may extend from the first display element LE1 to the seconddisplay element LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenthdisplay element LE10. In another embodiment, pixel electrodes of thefirst display element LE1, the second display element LE2, the ninthdisplay element LE9, and the tenth display element LE10 may be unitarywith one another, so that the first display element LE1, the seconddisplay element LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenthdisplay element LE10 may be electrically connected to one another.

In an embodiment, the second pixel circuit PC2-2 may commonly drive notonly the third display element LE3 and the fourth display element LE4but also the seventh display element LE7 and the eighth display elementLE8. In other words, the third display element LE3, the fourth displayelement LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighth displayelement LE8 may be commonly driven (or controlled) by one pixel circuit,for example, the second pixel circuit PC2-2.

In an embodiment, the third display element LE3 and the fourth displayelement LE4 may be arranged in different columns, and the seventhdisplay element LE7 and the eighth display element LE8 may be arrangedin different columns, for example. In an embodiment, the third displayelement LE3 and the seventh display element LE7 may be arranged in afirst column 1M, and the fourth display element LE4 and the eighthdisplay element LE8 may be arranged in a second column M2, for example.In an embodiment, the third display element LE3 and the seventh displayelement LE7 may be arranged in different rows, and the fourth displayelement LE4 and the eighth display element LE8 may be arranged indifferent rows, for example. In an embodiment, the third display elementLE3 and the fourth display element LE4 may be arranged in the second row2N, and the seventh display element LE7 and the eighth display elementLE8 may be arranged in the fourth row 4N, for example.

In an embodiment, a plurality of display elements LE that are commonlydriven by one pixel circuit PC may be electrically connected to oneanother. In an embodiment, the third display element LE3, the fourthdisplay element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighthdisplay element LE8 may be electrically connected to one another, forexample. To this end, according to some embodiments, a second conductivelayer CL2-2 electrically connecting the third display element LE3, thefourth display element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and theeighth display element LE8 to one another may be included. The secondconductive layer CL2-2 may be electrically connected to the second pixelcircuit PC2-2. In a plan view, the second conductive layer CL2-2 mayextend from the third display element LE3 to the fourth display elementLE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighth display elementLE8. In a plan view, the second conductive layer CL2-2 may extend fromone of the third display element LE3, the fourth display element LE4,the seventh display element LE7, and the eighth display element LE8 tothe second pixel circuit PC2-2. In another embodiment, pixel electrodesof the first display element LE1, the second display element LE2, theninth display element LE9, and the tenth display element LE10 may beunitary with one another, so that the first display element LE1, thesecond display element LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenthdisplay element LE10 may be electrically connected to one another.

In an embodiment, the third pixel circuit PC2-3 may commonly drive notonly the fifth display element LE5 and the sixth display element LE6 butalso the thirteenth display element LE13 and the fourteenth displayelement LE14. In other words, the fifth display element LE5, the sixthdisplay element LE6, the thirteenth display element LE13, and thefourteenth display element LE14 may be commonly driven (or controlled)by one pixel circuit, for example, the third pixel circuit PC2-3.

In an embodiment, the fifth display element LE5, the sixth displayelement LE6, the thirteenth display element LE13, and the fourteenthdisplay element LE14 may be arranged in different columns, for example.In an embodiment, the fifth display element LE5 may be arranged in thefirst column 1M, the sixth display element LE6 may be arranged in thesecond column 2M, the thirteenth display element LE13 may be arranged inthe third column 3M, and the fourteenth display element LE14 may bearranged in the fourth column 4M, for example. In an embodiment, thefifth display element LE5 and the sixth display element LE6 may bearranged in different rows, and thirteenth display element LE13 and thefourteenth display element LE14 may be arranged in different rows, forexample. In an embodiment, the fifth display element LE5 and thethirteenth display element LE13 may be arranged in the third row 3N, andthe sixth display element LE6 and the fourteenth display element LE14may be arranged in the first row 1N, for example.

In an embodiment, a plurality of display elements LE that are commonlydriven by one pixel circuit PC may be electrically connected to oneanother. In an embodiment, the fifth display element LE5, the sixthdisplay element LE6, the thirteenth display element LE13, and thefourteenth display element LE14 may be electrically connected to oneanother, for example. To this end, according to some embodiments, athird conductive layer CL2-3 electrically connecting the fifth displayelement LE5, the sixth display element LE6, the thirteenth displayelement LE13, and the fourteenth display element LE14 to one another maybe included. The third conductive layer CL2-3 may be electricallyconnected to the third pixel circuit PC2-3. In a plan view, the thirdconductive layer CL2-3 may extend from the fifth display element LE5 tothe sixth display element LE6, the thirteenth display element LE13, andthe fourteenth display element LE14. In another embodiment, pixelelectrodes of the fifth display element LE5, the sixth display elementLE6, the thirteenth display element LE13, and the fourteenth displayelement LE14 may be unitary with one another, so that the fifth displayelement LE5, the sixth display element LE6, the thirteenth displayelement LE13, and the fourteenth display element LE14 may beelectrically connected to one another.

In an embodiment, the fourth pixel circuit PC2-4 may commonly drive theeleventh display element LE11, the twelfth display element LE12, thefifteenth display element LE15, and the sixteenth display element LE16.In other words, the eleventh display element LE11, the twelfth displayelement LE12, the fifteenth display element LE15, and the sixteenthdisplay element LE16 may be commonly driven (or controlled) by one pixelcircuit, for example, the fourth pixel circuit PC2-4.

In an embodiment, the eleventh display element LE11 and the twelfthdisplay element LE12 may be arranged in different columns, the fifteenthdisplay element LE15 and the sixteenth display element LE16 may bearranged in different columns, for example. In an embodiment, theeleventh display element LE11 and the fifteenth display element LE15 maybe arranged in the third column 3M, and the twelfth display element LE12and the sixteenth display element LE16 may be arranged in the fourthcolumn M4, for example. In an embodiment, the eleventh display elementLE11 and the fifteenth display element LE15 may be arranged in differentrows, the twelfth display element LE12 and the sixteenth display elementLE16 may be arranged in different rows, for example. In an embodiment,the eleventh display element LE11 and the twelfth display element LE12may be arranged in the second row N2, and the fifteenth display elementLE15 and the sixteenth display element LE16 may be arranged in thefourth row N4, for example.

In an embodiment, a plurality of display elements LE that are commonlydriven by one pixel circuit PC may be electrically connected to oneanother. In an embodiment, the eleventh display element LE11, thetwelfth display element LE12, the fifteenth display element LE15, andthe sixteenth display element LE16 may be electrically connected to oneanother, for example. To this end, according to some embodiments, afourth conductive layer CL2-4 electrically connecting the eleventhdisplay element LE11, the twelfth display element LE12, the fifteenthdisplay element LE15, and the sixteenth display element LE16 to oneanother may be included. The fourth conductive layer CL2-4 may beelectrically connected to the fourth pixel circuit PC2-4. In a planview, the fourth conductive layer CL2-4 may extend from the eleventhdisplay element LE11 to the twelfth display element LE12, the fifteenthdisplay element LE15, and the sixteenth display element LE16. In anotherembodiment, pixel electrodes of the eleventh display element LE11, thetwelfth display element LE12, the fifteenth display element LE15, andthe sixteenth display element LE16 may be unitary with one another, sothat the eleventh display element LE11, the twelfth display elementLE12, the fifteenth display element LE15, and the sixteenth displayelement LE16 may be electrically connected to one another.

In an embodiment, the first display element LE1, the second displayelement LE2, the ninth display element LE9, and the tenth displayelement LE10 may emit light of the same color, namely, a first color.The third display element LE3, the fourth display element LE4, theseventh display element LE7, and the eighth display element LE8 may emitlight of the same color, namely, a second color, and the second colormay be different from the first color. The fifth display element LE5,the sixth display element LE6, the thirteenth display element LE13, andthe fourteenth display element LE14 may emit light of the same color,namely, a third color, and the third color may be different from thesecond color. In an embodiment, the eleventh display element LE11, thetwelfth display element LE12, the fifteenth display element LE15, andthe sixteenth display element LE16 may emit light of the same color,namely, the second color, for example. Each of the first through thirdcolors may be one of red, green, and blue, or may be one of red, green,blue, and white. In an embodiment, the first color may be red, thesecond color may be green, and the third color may be blue, for example.

Although not shown in FIG. 8A, in an embodiment, one scan line may becommonly electrically connected to the first, second, third, and fourthpixel circuits PC2-1, PC2-2, PC2-3, and PC2-4, and thus the first,second, third, and fourth pixel circuits PC2-1, PC2-2, PC2-3, and PC2-4may commonly receive a scan signal from the one scan line. Accordingly,only one scan line may be used to drive the display elements LE arrangedin four rows.

The first conductive layer CL2-1, the second conductive layer CL2-2, thethird conductive layer CL2-3, and the fourth conductive layer CL2-4 mayserve as the second connection line CL2 of FIG. 6. In this case, atleast one of the first conductive layer CL2-1, the second conductivelayer CL2-2, the third conductive layer CL2-3, and the fourth conductivelayer CL2-4 may extend to each pixel circuit and thus may be connectedto each pixel circuit, or may be connected to each pixel circuit througha separate connection conductive layer.

The first conductive layer CL2-1, the second conductive layer CL2-2, thethird conductive layer CL2-3, and the fourth conductive layer CL2-4 maybe arranged in the same manner as or a similar manner to that shown inFIGS. 8B through 8D. In this case, the first conductive layer CL2-1, thesecond conductive layer CL2-2, the third conductive layer CL2-3, and thefourth conductive layer CL2-4 may not intersect one another or may notbe electrically connected to one another when being arranged in the samelayer. The first conductive layer CL2-1, the second conductive layerCL2-2, the third conductive layer CL2-3, and the fourth conductive layerCL2-4 may not be electrically connected to one another by being arrangedin different layers. In the above case, connection conductive layersrespectively connected to the first conductive layer CL2-1, the secondconductive layer CL2-2, the third conductive layer CL2-3, and the fourthconductive layer CL2-4 may not be electrically connected to one another,like the first conductive layer CL2-1, the second conductive layerCL2-2, the third conductive layer CL2-3, and the fourth conductive layerCL2-4.

The order of the first through fourth pixel circuits PC2-1 through PC2-4is not limited to the above-described order, and the order may vary orthe locations of the first through fourth pixel circuits PC2-1 throughPC2-4 may also vary. In this case, the first through fourth pixelcircuits PC2-1 through PC2-4 may constitute a group, and the firstthrough fourth pixel circuits PC2-1 through PC2-4 may constitute a roundpixel circuit area PXA2. The round pixel circuit area PXA2 may have ahalf size of a round display element area U2. In an embodiment, a widthX3 of the round pixel circuit area PXA2 in one direction may be half ofa width X2 of the round display element area U2 in one direction, forexample. A width Y3 of the round pixel circuit area PXA2 in anotherdirection may be equal to a width Y2 of the round display element areaU2 in another direction. In this case, in a plan view, an area of theround pixel circuit area PXA2 may be half of an area of the rounddisplay element area U2. The number of round pixel circuit areas PXA2may be equal to the number of round display element areas U2 arranged inthe round display area CDA. Although not shown in the drawings, middledisplay elements arranged in the middle display area MDA may be arrangedin the round pixel circuit area PXA2. In this case, the middle displayelements may have the same shape as that of the round display elementarea U2. The number of basic units arranged in the middle display areaMDA may be the same as or similar to the number of round display elementareas U2 in the round display area CDA.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the third display element LE3, thefourth display element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and theeighth display element LE8 taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C isa cross-sectional view of the third display element LE3, the fourthdisplay element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighthdisplay element LE8 taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8D is across-sectional view of the third display element LE3, the fourthdisplay element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighthdisplay element LE8 taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 8A.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the middle display area MDA may have a similarshape to the above-described middle display area. In this case, at leastone driving circuit DC may be arranged in the middle display area MDA.In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, one driving circuit DC may bearranged below or around each pixel arranged in the middle display areaMDA, for example. In another embodiment, a driving circuit DC may bearranged in the middle display area MDA and may be arranged betweenadjacent pixels.

As described above with reference to FIG. 8A, the third display elementLE3, the fourth display element LE4, the seventh display element LE7,and the eighth display element LE8 may be connected to one second pixelcircuit PC2-2. In this case, the third display element LE3, the fourthdisplay element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighthdisplay element LE8 may simultaneously emit light according to a signal.

Respective pixel electrodes 211 of the third display element LE3, thefourth display element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and theeighth display element LE8 may be connected to the second conductivelayer CL2-2. The second conductive layer CL2-2 may be arranged on thefirst insulating layer 115 and may extend to pass below the respectivepixel electrodes 211 of the third display element LE3, the fourthdisplay element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighthdisplay element LE8. In this case, the second conductive layer CL2-2 maybe unitary with a second connection conductive layer CL2-2 a, and thesecond connection conductive layer CL2-2 a may connect the secondconductive layer CL2-2 to the second pixel circuit PC2-2.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the second connection conductive layer CL2-2 a andthe second conductive layer CL2-2 may be arranged in different layers.In an embodiment, the second connection conductive layer CL2-2 a may bedisposed on the first insulating layer 115, for example. In analternative embodiment, the second conductive layer CL2-2 may bedisposed on the second insulating layer 116. In this case, the secondconductive layer CL2-2 may be unitary with the respective pixelelectrodes 211 of the third display element LE3, the fourth displayelement LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighth displayelement LE8 and may connect the respective pixel electrodes 211 of thethird display element LE3, the fourth display element LE4, the seventhdisplay element LE7, and the eighth display element LE8 to one another.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the second connection conductive layer CL2-2 a andthe second conductive layer CL2-2 may be arranged in different layers.In this case, a third insulating layer 117 may be arranged on the secondinsulating layer 116, and the pixel defining layer 118 may be arrangedon the third insulating layer 117.

The first insulating layer 115 and the third insulating layer 117 mayhave the same material as or a similar material to the first insulatinglayer 115 of FIG. 6. In an embodiment, the second insulating layer 116may include the same material as or a similar material to the firstinsulating layer 115. In another embodiment, the second insulating layer116 may include silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)), siliconoxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂),tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO₂), or thelike. For convenience of description, a case where the first insulatinglayer 115, the second insulating layer 116, and the third insulatinglayer 117 include the same materials or similar materials will now befocused on and described in detail.

The respective pixel electrodes 211 of the third display element LE3,the fourth display element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and theeighth display element LE8 may be arranged on the third insulating layer117, one of the second conductive layer CL2-2 and the second connectionconductive layer CL2-2 a may be arranged on the second insulating layer116, and the other may be arranged on the first insulating layer 115.The pixel electrodes 211, the second conductive layer CL2-2, and thesecond connection conductive layer CL2-2 a may be connected to oneanother through a contact hole defined in each insulating layer. In thiscase, the second connection conductive layer CL2-2 a may be connected toa second pixel circuit PC2-2.

Although not shown in the drawings, the fifth display element LE5, thesixth display element LE6, the thirteenth display element LE13, and thefourteenth display element LE14 of FIG. 8A may be connected to oneanother in the same manner as or a similar manner to that shown in FIGS.8B through 8D. The eleventh display element LE11, the twelfth displayelement LE 12, the fifteenth display element LE15, and the sixteenthdisplay element LE 16 of FIG. 8A may be connected to one another in thesame manner as or a similar manner to that shown in FIGS. 8B through 8D.The first display element LE1, the second display element LE2, the ninthdisplay element LE9, and the tenth display element LE10 of FIG. 8A maybe connected to one another in the same manner as or a similar manner tothat shown in FIGS. 8B through 8D.

FIG. 8E is a plan view of an embodiment of a round display element area,a middle display element area, and a round pixel circuit area of adisplay panel according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8E, a plurality of round display element areas U2 maybe arranged in the round display area CDA. One or more round displayelement areas U2 may be arranged in different layers along a roundboundary of the round display area CDA. In this case, one of a pluralityof round display element areas U2 arranged in one row may be arranged ina round portion of the round display area CDA. For convenience ofdescription, a relationship between round display element areas U2arranged in the round boundary of the round display area CDA will now befocused on and described in detail.

The round display element areas U2 arranged in different rows whilebeing arranged in the boundary of the round display area CDA may bearranged in a stepped manner. In other words, one of the round displayelement areas U2 arranged in different rows may be arranged closer tothe main display area FDA than another of the round display elementareas U2 arranged in the different rows is to the main display area FDA.In an embodiment, one edge of one of the round display element areas U2arranged in different rows may be moved rightwards with reference toFIG. 8E than one edge of another of the round display element areas U2arranged in the different rows, for example. The distance between oneedge of one of the round display element areas U2 and one edge ofanother of the round display element areas U2 arranged in different rowsmay be a first distance W1 between the one edge of the one of the rounddisplay element areas U2 arranged in different rows and the one edge ofthe other of the round display element areas U2 arranged in thedifferent rows, the first distance W1 being measured in the firstdirection.

Middle display element areas U3 may be arranged in the middle displayarea MDA. Each of the middle display element areas U3 may have the samesubpixel layout as that of the round display element area U2. In thiscase, a middle pixel circuit area PXA3 and/or a round pixel circuit areaPXA2 may be arranged below the subpixels of each middle display elementarea U3. In an embodiment, only round pixel circuit areas PXA2 may bearranged in middle display element areas U3 arranged adjacent to theboundary between the middle display area MDA and the round display areaCDA, for example. Middle pixel circuit areas PXA3 and round pixelcircuit areas PXA2 may be arranged in middle display element areas U3arranged in the middle of the middle display area MDA. Only middle pixelcircuit areas PXA3 may be arranged in middle display element areas U3arranged adjacent to the boundary between the middle display area MDAand the main display area FDA. As described above with reference to FIG.8A, each round pixel circuit area PXA2 may include the first pixelcircuit PC2-1, the second pixel circuit PC2-2, the third pixel circuitPC2-3, and the fourth pixel circuit PC2-4. Each middle pixel circuitarea PXA3 may include middle pixel circuits arranged in the same layoutas or a similar layout to that of the pixel circuits of each round pixelcircuit area PXA2.

The middle pixel circuit areas PXA3 disposed on the boundary between themiddle display area MDA and the round display area CDA in different rowsmay be arranged in a stepped manner. In an embodiment, the middle pixelcircuit areas PXA3 may be arranged in different rows. In this case,respective one edges of the middle pixel circuit areas PXA3 arranged indifferent rows while being closer to the round display area CDA may bearranged apart from each other at regular intervals of a second distanceW2, for example. The second distance W2 may be equal to a width of eachmiddle pixel circuit area PXA3 in one direction (e.g., the width X3 ofFIG. 8A). The second distance W2 may be half of the width of the rounddisplay element area U2 in one direction (e.g., the width X2 of FIG.8A). The second distance W2 may be twice the first width X1 of each mainunit area U1.

When the middle pixel circuit areas PXA3 disposed on the boundarybetween the middle display area MDA and the round display area CDA arespaced apart from each other at regular intervals and arranged indifferent rows as described above, the round display element areas U2disposed on the boundary between the middle display area MDA and theround display area CDA in different rows may be spaced apart from eachother at the same regular intervals as those for the middle pixelcircuit areas PXA3. In other words, the first distance W1 and the seconddistance W2 may be the same as each other.

In this case, the round display element areas U2 disposed on theboundary between the middle display area MDA and the round display areaCDA in different rows may be arranged apart from each other at regularintervals along the rounded boundary of the round display area CDA. Inother words, the round display element areas U2 arranged in differentrows may create a stepped shape by being spaced apart from each other atregular intervals. In this case, when the round display elements of theround display element area U2 emit light, a uniform pattern may beformed or provided on the round boundary of the round display area CDAand thus roughness in a round shape may be made uniform. Such an effectmay be obtained not only on the boundary between the middle display areaMDA and the round display area CDA but also on the boundary between themiddle display area MDA and the main display area FDA and in the sidedisplay area SDA.

Therefore, the display panel may realize a uniform and soft image in theround area thereof.

FIG. 8F is a plan view of an embodiment of a round display element area,a middle display element area, and a round pixel circuit area of adisplay panel according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8F, round display element areas U2 and round pixelcircuit areas PXA2 may be the same as those shown in FIG. 8A. A firstdistance W1 between respective one edges of round display element areasU2 arranged adjacent to the round boundary of the round display area CDAin different rows may be equal to a second distance W2 betweenrespective one edges of round pixel circuit area PXA2 arranged adjacentto the round boundary of the middle display area MDA in different rows.

Each of the first distance W1 and the second distance W2 may be half ofa width of each round pixel circuit area PXA2 in one direction (e.g.,the width X3 of FIG. 8A).

In this case, because the round display element areas U2 aresequentially arranged in a stepped manner on the round boundary of theround display area CDA and the first distance W1 is not substantiallylarge, visible recognition of the boundary of the round display area CDAin a stepped manner may be reduced.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of another embodiment of arrangement andconnection of pixels of a round display area of a display panelaccording to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 9A, second pixels PX2 and third pixels (not shown)each including a plurality of subpixels may be arranged in each of theround display area CDA and the middle display area MDA. In this case,the round display area CDA and the middle display area MDA may have thesame subpixel layouts or similar subpixel layouts. In this case, roundpixel circuits PC2 may not be arranged in the round display area CDA,and round pixel circuits PC2 and middle pixel circuits (not shown) maybe arranged in the middle display area MDA. For convenience ofdescription, subpixels arranged in the round display area CDA and around pixel circuit PC2 arranged in the middle display area MDA will nowbe described in detail. In this case, the round pixel circuit PC2 mayinclude a first pixel circuit PC2-1, a second pixel circuit PC2-2, athird pixel circuit PC2-3, and a fourth pixel circuit PC2-4.

In an embodiment, a round display element area U2 may include aplurality of subpixels as shown in FIG. 8A. The round display elementarea U2 may correspond to half of the round display element area U2 ofFIG. 8A. In particular, the round display element area U2 may have awidth that is half of the width X2 of one edge of the round display areaCDA of FIG. 8A and a width that is equal to the width Y2 of the otheredge of the round display area CDA of FIG. 8A. The round display elementarea U2 may include two second red subpixels Pr2 (i.e., the firstdisplay element LE1 and the second display element LE2), four secondgreen subpixels Pg2 (i.e., the third display element LE3, the fourthdisplay element LE4, the seventh display element LE7, and the eighthdisplay element LE8), and two second blue subpixels Pb2 (i.e., the fifthdisplay element LE5 and the sixth display element LE6). The two secondred subpixels Pr2 (i.e., the first display element LE1 and the seconddisplay element LE2), the four second green subpixels Pg2 (i.e., thethird display element LE3 and the fourth display element LE4, theseventh display element LE7, and the eighth display element LE8), andthe two second blue subpixels Pb2 (i.e., the fifth display element LE5and the sixth display element LE6) may be arranged in the same manner asor a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 8A. Arrangement of subpixelsarranged in the round display element area U2 and the number ofsubpixels are not limited to the above description, and may vary.

Round pixel circuit areas PXA2 may be arranged in the middle displayarea MDA. In each round pixel circuit areas PXA2, four pixel circuits,namely, the first, second, third, and fourth pixel circuits PC2-1,PC2-2, PC2-3, and PC2-4, may be arranged in two rows and two columns. Inan embodiment, the first pixel circuit PC2-1 and the second pixelcircuit PC2-2 may be arranged in the second row 2N, and the third pixelcircuit PC2-3 and the fourth pixel circuit PC2-4 may be arranged in thefirst row 1N, for example. The first pixel circuit PC2-1 and the thirdpixel circuit PC2-3 may be arranged in the same column, and the secondpixel circuit PC2-2 and the fourth pixel circuit PC2-4 may be arrangedin the same column.

The first pixel circuit PC2-1 may be connected to the first displayelement LE1 and the second display element LE2, and the second pixelcircuit PC2-2 may be connected to the third display element LE3 and thefourth display element LE4. The third pixel circuit PC2-3 may beconnected to the fifth display element LE5 and the sixth display elementLE6, and the fourth pixel circuit PC2-4 may be connected to the seventhdisplay element LE7 and the eighth display element LE8. As describedabove with reference to FIG. 8A, a first conductive layer CL2-1, asecond conductive layer CL2-2, a third conductive layer CL2-3, and afourth conductive layer CL2-4 may connect display elements to pixelcircuits. In this case, at least one of the first conductive layerCL2-1, the second conductive layer CL2-2, the third conductive layerCL2-3, and the fourth conductive layer CL2-4 may directly connect eachdisplay element to each pixel circuit or connect each display element toeach pixel circuit through a connection conductive layer.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the third display element LE3 andthe forth display element LE4 taken along line E-E′ of FIG. 9A.

Referring to FIG. 9B, two display elements arranged in a round displayarea (not shown) may be connected to one pixel circuit. In this case,each display element may be connected to one pixel circuit through oneconductive layer or through one conductive layer and one connectionconductive layer.

In an embodiment, the pixel electrode 211 of the third display elementLE3 and the pixel electrode 211 of the fourth display element LE4 may beconnected to the second conductive layer CL2-2 arranged on the firstinsulating layer 115, for example. The second conductive layer CL2-2 maybe connected to the second connection conductive layer CL2-2 a, and thesecond connection conductive layer CL2-2 a may be connected to thesecond pixel circuit PC2-2.

Although not shown in the drawings, in another embodiment, the pixelelectrode 211 of the third display element LE3 and the pixel electrode211 of the fourth display element LE4 may be unitary with the secondconductive layer CL2-2 and connected to the second connection conductivelayer CL2-2 a as shown in FIG. 8C. In another embodiment, the pixelelectrode 211 of the third display element LE3 and the pixel electrode211 of the fourth display element LE4 may be connected to the secondconductive layer CL2-2 and the second connection conductive layer CL2-2a arranged on different insulating layers as shown in FIG. 8D.

FIG. 9C is a plan view of another embodiment of a round display elementarea, a middle display element area, and a round pixel circuit area of adisplay panel according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 9C, round display element areas U2 and round pixelcircuit areas PXA2 may be the same as those shown in FIG. 9A. A firstdistance W1 between respective one edges of round display element areasU2 arranged adjacent to the round boundary of the round display area CDAin different rows may be equal to a second distance W2 betweenrespective one edges of round pixel circuit area PXA2 arranged adjacentto the round boundary of the middle display area MDA in different rows.

Each of the first distance W1 and the second distance W2 may be the sameas a width of each round pixel circuit area PXA2 in one direction (e.g.,the width X3 of FIG. 8A).

In this case, because the round display element areas U2 aresequentially arranged in a stepped manner on the round boundary of theround display area CDA and the first distance W1 is not substantiallylarge, visible recognition of the boundary of the round display area CDAin a stepped manner may be reduced.

When the round display element areas U2 are arranged in a steppedmanner, the round display element areas U2 may be spaced apart from oneanother at regular intervals of the first distance W1 and thus may haveuniform shapes.

FIG. 9D is a plan view of another embodiment of a round display elementarea, a middle display element area, and a round pixel circuit area of adisplay panel according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 9D, round display element areas U2 and round pixelcircuit areas PXA2 may be the same as those shown in FIG. 9A. A firstdistance W1 between respective one edges of round display element areasU2 arranged adjacent to the round boundary of the round display area CDAin different rows may be equal to a second distance W2 betweenrespective one edges of round pixel circuit area PXA2 arranged adjacentto the round boundary of the middle display area MDA in different rows.

Each of the first distance W1 and the second distance W2 may be half ofa width of each round pixel circuit area PXA2 in one direction (e.g.,the width X3 of FIG. 8A).

In this case, because the round display element areas U2 aresequentially arranged in a stepped manner on the round boundary of theround display area CDA and the first distance W1 is not substantiallylarge, visible recognition of the boundary of the round display area CDAin a stepped manner may be reduced.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a displaypanel according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a display device 2 may include a display panel10-1. The display panel 10-1 may include a main display area FDA, around display area CDA arranged in a round portion of a substrate 100,and a middle display area MDA arranged between the main display area FDAand the round display area CDA.

The display panel 10-1 may include the substrate 100, and a multi-layerarranged on the substrate 100. The main display area FDA, the rounddisplay area CDA, and the middle display area MDA may be defined in thesubstrate 100 and/or the multi-layer. In other words, the substrate 100and/or the multi-layer may be understood as including the main displayarea FDA, the round display area CDA, and the middle display area MDA.

First pixels PX1 each including a main display element may be arrangedin the main display area FDA. A driving circuit DC for providing anelectrical signal or power wiring (not shown) for providing a voltagemay be arranged in the middle display area MDA. Third pixels eachincluding a middle display element may be arranged in the middle displayarea MDA. Second pixels each including a round display element may bearranged in the round display area CDA. In this case, an arrangementstructure of each display element and each pixel circuit in the middledisplay area MDA and the round display area CDA may be one of the shapesshown in FIGS. 8A through 9C. Accordingly, a most part of the displaypanel 10-1 may display an image.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a display panelaccording to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, a display device 1 includes a main display areaFDA, and a peripheral area DPA outside the main display area FDA. Themain display area FDA includes a component area CA, a round display areaCDA at least partially surrounding the component area CA, and a middledisplay area MDA at least surrounding the round display area CDA. Inother words, the component area CA and the main display area FDA mayindividually or together display an image. The peripheral area DPA maybe a non-display area in which display elements are not arranged. Themain display area FDA may be entirely surrounded by the peripheral areaDPA.

FIG. 11 illustrates one component area CA disposed within the maindisplay area FDA. In another embodiment, the display device 1 may havetwo or more component areas CA, and the component areas CA may havedifferent shapes and different sizes. in a plan view, the component areaCA may have any of various shapes such as a circular shape, an ovalshape, a polygonal shape (e.g., a quadrangular shape (e.g., rectangularshape), a star shape, or a diamond shape. In FIG. 11, in a plan view,the component area CA is arranged at the center of an upper portion (ina +y direction) of the main display area FDA having an approximatelyquadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular shape), but the component area CAmay be arranged on one side, for example, a right upper side or leftupper side, of the main display area FDA.

The display device 1 may provide an image by a plurality of mainsubpixels Pm (refer to FIGS. 12A and 12B) arranged in the main displayarea FDA and a plurality of auxiliary subpixels Pa arranged in thecomponent area CA.

In the component area CA, as will be described later with reference toFIGS. 12A and 12B, a component 40, which is an electronic element, maybe arranged below a display panel to correspond to the component areaCA. The component 40 is a camera using infrared light, visible light, orthe like, and may include a photographing device. In an alternativeembodiment, the component 40 may be a solar battery, a flash, anilluminance sensor, a proximity sensor, or an iris sensor. In analternative embodiment, the component 40 may have a function ofreceiving sound. In order to minimize restrictions on the function ofthe component 40, the component area CA may include a transmission areaTA capable of transmitting light or/and sound that is output from thecomponent 40 to the outside or travels from the outside toward thecomponent 40. In a display panel and a display device including thesame, in an embodiment of the invention, when light is transmittedthrough the component area CA, a light transmittance in the componentarea CA may be about 10% or greater, for example, 40% or greater, 25% orgreater, 50% or greater, 85% or greater, or 90% or greater.

A plurality of auxiliary subpixels Pa may be arranged in the componentarea CA. Each of the plurality of auxiliary subpixels Pa may emit lightto provide a predetermined image. An image displayed by the componentarea CA is an auxiliary image and thus may have lower resolution than animage displayed by the main display area FDA. In other words, when thecomponent area CA includes the transmission area TA capable oftransmitting light and sound and subpixels are not arranged in thetransmission area TA, the number of auxiliary subpixels Pa that may bearranged on a unit area in the component area CA may be less than thenumber of main subpixels Pm arranged on a unit area in the main displayarea FDA.

The middle display area MDA and the round display area CDA may preventthe boundary of the component area CA from being visible in the form ofan irregularity due to an arrangement of the subpixels on the boundaryof the component area CA.

In this case, the middle display area MDA and the round display area CDAmay be the same as or similar to the types shown in FIGS. 8A through 9C.

Therefore, the boundary of the component area CA of the display device 1is smoothly visible, and thus a sense of beauty of the boundary of thecomponent area CA may improve and distortion of an image in a boundaryportion of the component area CA may be reduced.

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a displaypanel according to the invention. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view ofanother embodiment of a display panel according to the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the display devices 1 may include adisplay panel 10 and a component 40 overlapped by the display panel 10.A cover window (not shown) may be further over the display panel 10 toprotect the display panel 10.

The display panel 10 may include a component area CA that overlaps thecomponent 40, a round display area CDA surrounding the component areaCA, a middle display area MDA surrounding the round display area CDA,and a main display area FDA surrounding at least a portion of the middledisplay area MDA and displaying a main image. The display panel 10 mayinclude a substrate 100, a display layer DISL, a touch screen layer TSL,and an optical functional layer OFL on the substrate 100, and a panelprotection member PB below the substrate 100.

The display layer DISL may include a pixel circuit layer PCL includingthin-film transistors TFT, TFTm and TFTa, a display element layer DELincluding light-emitting diodes (FOLED, MOLED, COLED, and EDa) that aredisplay elements, and an encapsulation member ENCM such as a thin-filmencapsulation layer TFE or an encapsulation substrate (not shown).Insulating layers IL and IL′ may be arranged between the substrate 100and the display layer DISL and within the display layer DISL. A casewhere the light-emitting diodes are organic light-emitting diodes willnow be focused on and described in detail.

The substrate 100 may include an insulative material, such as glass,quartz, and polymer resin. The substrate 100 may be a rigid substrate ora flexible substrate that is bendable, foldable, or rollable.

A main pixel circuit PC1 (also referred to as a main pixel circuit PCm)and a main light-emitting diode EDm connected thereto may be arranged inthe main display area FDA of the display panel 10. The main pixelcircuit PC1 may include at least one thin-film transistor TFTm and maycontrol light emission of the main light-emitting diode EDm. A mainsubpixel Pm may be implemented due to light emission of the mainlight-emitting diode EDm.

An auxiliary light-emitting diode EDa may be arranged in the componentarea CA of the display panel 10 to implement an auxiliary subpixel Pa.An auxiliary pixel circuit PCa may be disposed in the component area CAto drive the auxiliary light-emitting diode EDa.

The auxiliary pixel circuit PCa may include at least one thin-filmtransistor TFTa and may be electrically connected to the auxiliarylight-emitting diode EDa. The auxiliary subpixel Pa may be implementeddue to light emission of the auxiliary light-emitting diode EDa. An areawhere the auxiliary light-emitting diode EDa is arranged, in thecomponent area CA, may refer to as an auxiliary display area ADA.

An area where the auxiliary light-emitting diode EDa, which is a displayelement, is not arranged, in the component area CA, may refer to as atransmission area TA. The transmission area TA may transmit alight/signal emitted by the component 40 arranged to correspond to thecomponent area CA or a light/signal incident upon the component 40. Theauxiliary display area ADA and the transmission area TA may be arrangedalternately with each other in the component area CA.

A middle organic light-emitting diode MOLED, which is a middle displayelement, may be arranged in the middle display area MDA. A round organiclight-emitting diode COLED, which is a round display element, may bearranged in the round display area CDA. The middle organiclight-emitting diode MOLED may be connected to a middle pixel circuitPC3 arranged in the middle display area MDA or the main display area FDAthrough a third connection line CL3. For convenience of description, acase where the middle pixel circuit PC3 is arranged in the middledisplay area MDA will now be focused on and described in detail. Theround organic light-emitting diode COLED may be connected to a roundpixel circuit PC2 through a second connection line CL2. The round pixelcircuit PC2 may be arranged under the middle organic light-emittingdiode MOLED.

The display element layer DEL may be covered by the thin-filmencapsulation layer TFE or by the encapsulation substrate. According tosome embodiments, the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may include atleast one inorganic encapsulation layer and at least one organicencapsulation layer, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. In an embodiment,the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may include first and secondinorganic encapsulation layers 310 and 330 and an organic encapsulationlayer 320 therebetween.

The first inorganic encapsulation layer 310 and the second inorganicencapsulation layer 330 may include at least one inorganic insulatingmaterial such as silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)),silicon oxynitride (SiO_(x)N_(y)), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titaniumoxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), or zincoxide (ZnO₂), and may be formed or provided by chemical vapor deposition(“CVD”). The organic encapsulation layer 320 may include a polymer-basedmaterial. Examples of the polymer-based material may include asilicon-based resin, an acryl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin,polyimide (“PI”), and polyethylene.

The first inorganic encapsulation layer 310, the organic encapsulationlayer 320, and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 330 may each beintegrally provided to cover the main display area FDA and the componentarea CA.

When the display element layer DEL is sealed by the encapsulationsubstrate, the encapsulation substrate may be arranged to face thesubstrate 100 with the display element layer DEL therebetween. A gap mayexist between the encapsulation substrate and the display element layerDEL. The encapsulation substrate may include glass. A sealant includingfrit or the like may be arranged between the substrate 100 and theencapsulation substrate, and may be arranged in the peripheral area DPA.The sealant arranged in the peripheral area DPA may surround the displayarea DA and prevent moisture from permeating through the side surfacesof the display panel 10.

The touch screen layer TSL may obtain coordinate information based on anexternal input, for example, a touch event. The touch screen layer TSLmay include a touch electrode and touch wires connected to the touchelectrode. The touch screen layer TSL may sense an external inputaccording to a self-capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method.

The touch screen layer TSL may be disposed on the thin-filmencapsulation layer TFE. In an alternative embodiment, the touch screenlayer TSL may be separately provided on a touch substrate and thencoupled to the upper surface of the thin-film encapsulation layer TFEvia an adhesive layer, such as an OCA. In an embodiment, the touchscreen layer TSL may be provided directly on the thin-film encapsulationlayer TFE. In this case, adhesive layers may not be disposed between thetouch screen layer TSL and the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE.

The optical functional layer OFL may include an anti-reflection layer.The anti-reflection layer may reduce reflectivity of light (externallight) that is incident from an external source toward the displaydevice 1.

According to some embodiments, the optical functional layer OFL may be apolarization film. An opening OFL_OP corresponding to the transmissionarea TA may be defined in the optical functional layer OFL. Accordingly,the light transmittance of the transmission area TA may significantlyimprove. The opening OFL_OP may be filled with a transparent materialsuch as an optically clear resin (“OCR”).

According to some embodiments, the optical functional layer OFL may beimplemented using a filter plate including a black matrix and colorfilters.

The panel protection member PB may be attached to a lower surface of thesubstrate 100 and may support and protect the substrate 100. An openingPB_OP corresponding to the component area CA may be defined in the panelprotection member PB. The inclusion of the opening PB_OP in the panelprotection member PB may improve the light transmittance of thecomponent area CA. The panel protection member PB may include PET or PI.

The component area CA may have a larger area than an area where thecomponent 40 is arranged. Accordingly, the area of the opening PB_OPincluded in the panel protection member PB may not be identical with thearea of the component area CA.

A plurality of components 40 may be arranged in the component area CA.The plurality of components 40 may perform different functions. In anembodiment, the plurality of components 40 may include at least two of acamera (photographing device), a solar cell, a flash, a proximitysensor, an illuminance sensor, and an iris sensor, for example.

FIG. 12A does not illustrate a bottom metal layer BML arranged under theauxiliary light-emitting diode EDa of the component area CA. However, asshown in FIG. 12B, the display device 1 in an embodiment may include thebottom metal layer BML.

The bottom metal layer BML may be arranged between the substrate 100 andthe auxiliary light-emitting diode EDa such as to be overlapped by theauxiliary light-emitting diode EDa. The bottom metal layer BML mayprevent external light from reaching the auxiliary light-emitting diodeEDa. According to some embodiments, the bottom metal layer BML may bearranged to correspond to the entire component area CA, and abottom-hole corresponding to the transmission area TA may be defined inthe bottom metal layer BML. In this case, the bottom-hole may beprovided in any of various shapes such as a polygon, a circle, or anirregular shape, and may adjust the diffraction characteristics ofexternal light.

FIG. 12C is a plan view illustrating pixel arrangements of the componentarea CA, the round display area CDA, the middle display area MDA, and aportion of the main display area FDA of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 12C, the component areas CA may be included in theround display area CDA. The middle display area MDA may be disposed inthe main display area FDA, and the round display area CDA may bedisposed in the middle display area MDA.

Pixel groups may be arranged in the component area CA, the round displayarea CDA, the middle display area MDA, and the main display area FDA. Aplurality of pixels with a same number and a same arrangement may bearranged in each of the round display area CDA, the middle display areaMDA, and the main display area FDA. In this case, pixels may beuniformly arranged in the round display area CDA, the middle displayarea MDA, and the main display area FDA.

The main display area FDA may include a plurality of first pixels PX1spaced apart from one another, and each of the plurality of first pixelsPX1 may include a first red subpixel Pr1, a first green subpixel Pg1,and a first blue subpixel Pb1. The middle display area MDA may include aplurality of third pixels PX3 spaced apart from one another, and each ofthe plurality of third pixels PX3 may include a third red subpixel Pr3,a third green subpixel Pg3, and a third blue subpixel Pb3. The rounddisplay area CDA may include a plurality of second pixels PX2 spacedapart from one another, and each of the plurality of second pixels PX2may include a second red subpixel Pr2, a second green subpixel Pg2, anda second blue subpixel Pb2. In this case, each of the first pixel PX1,the second pixel PX2, and the third pixel PX3 may include subpixels witha same number and a same arrangement.

In this case, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, pixel circuits respectivelycorresponding to the subpixels may be arranged in the main display areaFDA. A middle pixel circuit and a round pixel circuit respectivelyconnected to each subpixel of the second pixel PX2 and each subpixel ofthe third pixel PX3 may be arranged in the middle display area MDA.However, pixel circuits may not be arranged in the round display areaCDA. In this case, the subpixels of the second pixel PX2 may beconnected to the pixel circuits arranged in the middle display area MDA.

The component area CA may have a pixel group PG and a transmission areaTA. The pixel group PG may include a fourth red subpixel Pr4, a fourthgreen subpixel Pg4, and a fourth blue subpixel Pb4.

In this case, the plurality of subpixels arranged in each area is notlimited to the above-described subpixels. In an embodiment, theplurality of subpixels may include subpixels that emit yellow light, redlight, and blue light, respectively, for example. In another embodiment,the plurality of subpixels may include subpixels that emit white, redlight, blue light, and yellow light, respectively.

FIGS. 13A through 13G are plan views illustrating a pixel layout of thecomponent area CA of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 13A through 13G, a plurality of auxiliary subpixelsPa may be arranged in any of various configurations within the componentarea CA.

Referring to FIG. 13A, a plurality of auxiliary subpixels Pa may bearranged in the component area CA. Each of the auxiliary subpixels Pamay emit, for example, red light, green light, blue light, or whitelight.

The component area CA may include a pixel group PG and a transmissionarea TA, the pixel group PG including at least one auxiliary subpixelPa. The pixel group PG and the transmission area TA may be arrangedalternately with each other both in the x direction and the y direction,and may be arranged in, for example, a lattice configuration. In thiscase, the component area CA may have a plurality of pixel groups PG anda plurality of transmission areas TA.

The pixel group PG may be defined as a subpixel set in which a pluralityof auxiliary subpixels Pa is grouped in a predetermined unit. In anembodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, a single pixel group PG may includeeight auxiliary subpixels Pa arranged in a Pentile structure, forexample. In other words, a single pixel group PG may include two fourthred subpixels Pr4, four fourth green subpixels Pg4, and two fourth bluesubpixels Pb4.

In the component area CA, a component basic unit U4 including apredetermined number of pixel groups PG and a predetermined number oftransmission areas TA may be repeated in the x direction and the ydirection. In FIG. 13A, the component basic unit U4 may have aquadrilateral shape in which two pixel groups PG and two transmissionareas TA arranged around the pixel groups PG are grouped. The componentbasic unit U4 is a repetitive structure and does not indicate adisconnected configuration.

In the main display area FDA, a corresponding unit having the same areaas that of the component basic unit U4 may be set. In this case, thenumber of main subpixels Pm included in the corresponding unit may begreater than that of auxiliary subpixels Pa included in the componentbasic unit U4. In other words, the number of auxiliary subpixels Paincluded in the component basic unit U4 is 16 and the number of mainsubpixels Pm included in the corresponding unit is 32, and thus thenumber of auxiliary subpixels Pa and the number of main subpixels Pmarranged in the same area may be 1:2.

A pixel arrangement structure of the component area CA in which theauxiliary subpixels Pa are arranged in a Pentile structure as shown inFIG. 13A and a resolution of the component area CA is ½ of theresolution of the main display area FDA is also referred to as a ½Pentile structure. The number of auxiliary subpixels Pa included in thepixel group PG or an arrangement method thereof may be modifiedaccording to the resolution of the component area CA.

Referring to FIG. 13B, the pixel arrangement structure of the componentarea CA may be a ¼ Pentile structure. In the illustrated embodiment, thepixel group PG includes eight auxiliary subpixels Pa arranged in aPentile structure, but the component basic unit U4 may include only onepixel group PG. The remaining area of the component basic unit U4 notoccupied by the one pixel group PG may be filled with transmission areasTA. Accordingly, the number of auxiliary subpixels Pa and the number ofmain subpixels Pm arranged in the same area may be 1:4. In this case,the one pixel group PG may be surrounded by the transmission areas TA.

Referring to FIG. 13C, the pixel arrangement structure of the componentarea CA may be a ¼ Pentile distributed structure. In the illustratedembodiment, two pixel groups PG may be distributed and arranged in thecomponent basic unit U4. A single pixel group PG may be based on aPentile structure and may include a total of four auxiliary subpixelsPa, namely, one fourth red subpixel Pr4, two fourth green subpixels Pg4,and one fourth blue subpixel Pb4.

The four auxiliary subpixels Pa may be arranged at the four vertexes ofa virtual quadrilateral VS′, respectively. In an embodiment, the virtualquadrilateral VS' may be a parallelogram. The fourth red subpixel Pr4and the fourth blue subpixel Pb4 may be arranged in the first row 1N,and the two fourth green subpixels Pg4 may be arranged in the second row2N.

Because a pixel group PG and a transmission area TA are arrangedalternately, as the number of auxiliary subpixels Pa included in eachpixel group PG decreases, the auxiliary subpixels Pa may be moredistributed within the component basic unit U4.

Referring to FIG. 13D, the pixel arrangement structure of the componentarea CA may be a 3/8 Pentile structure. In the illustrated embodiment,four pixel groups PG may be distributed and arranged in the componentbasic unit U4. A single pixel group PG may be based on a Pentilestructure and may include a total of three auxiliary subpixels Pa,namely, one fourth red subpixel Pr4, one fourth green subpixel Pg4, andone fourth blue subpixel Pb4. In the arrangement of the auxiliarysubpixels Pa in the single pixel group PG, the fourth red subpixel Pr,the fourth green subpixel Pg, and the fourth blue subpixel Pb may bearranged at the three vertexes of a virtual triangle VT, respectively.

When compared with the basic Pentile structure in the main display areaFDA of FIGS. 12A through 12C, the pixel arrangement structure in theillustrated embodiment does not include subpixels in the third row 3Nand the fourth row 4N and also does not include subpixels in a fourthcolumn 4M. Accordingly, the number of auxiliary subpixels Pa included inthe component basic unit U4 is 12 and the number of main subpixels Pmincluded in the corresponding unit is 32, and thus the number ofauxiliary subpixels Pa and the number of main subpixels Pm arranged inthe same area may be 3:8.

Referring to FIG. 13E, the pixel arrangement structure of the componentarea CA may be an S-stripe structure. In the illustrated embodiment, asingle pixel group PG may include a total of three auxiliary subpixelsPa, namely, one fourth red subpixel Pr4, one fourth green subpixel Pg4,and one fourth blue subpixel Pb4.

In the illustrated embodiment, one fourth red subpixel Pr4 and onefourth green subpixel Pg4 may alternate with each other in a firstcolumn 11, and one fourth blue subpixel Pb4 may be arranged in a secondcolumn 21 adjacent to the first column 11. In this case, each of thefourth red subpixel Pr4 and the fourth green subpixel Pg4 has aquadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular shape) having a longer side in thex direction, and the fourth blue subpixel Pb4 may be arranged to have aquadrangular shape (e.g., rectangular shape) having a longer side in they direction. A length of the fourth blue subpixel Pb4 in the y directionmay be equal to or greater than a sum of a length of the fourth redsubpixel Pr4 in the y direction and a length of the fourth greensubpixel Pg4 in the y direction. Accordingly, a size of the fourth bluesubpixel Pb4 may be greater than a size of each of the fourth red andgreen subpixels Pr4 and Pg4.

In the illustrated embodiment, an area of the component basic unit U4occupied by the single pixel group PG may be about ¼ of the componentbasic unit U4. In FIG. 13E, only one pixel group PG is included in thecomponent basic unit U4. However, in another embodiment, the componentbasic unit U4 may include two or more pixel groups PG. The area of theauxiliary subpixels Pa included in each pixel group PG may vary.

Referring to FIG. 13F, a component basic unit U4 arranged in thecomponent area CA may include two pixel groups PG based on an S-stripestructure. The two pixel groups PG may be arranged apart from each otherwith a transmission area TA therebetween.

In the illustrated embodiment, an area of the component basic unit U4occupied by the pixel groups PG may be about ¼ of the component basicunit U4. In other words, the area of the auxiliary subpixels Pa of FIG.13F may be smaller than that of the auxiliary subpixels Pa of FIG. 13E.

Referring to FIG. 13G, the pixel arrangement structure of the componentarea CA may be a stripe structure. In other words, a fourth red subpixelPr4, a fourth green subpixel Pg4, and a fourth blue subpixel Pb4 may bejuxtaposed in the x direction. In this case, each of the fourth redsubpixel Pr4, the fourth green subpixel Pg4, and the fourth bluesubpixel Pb4 may have a longer side in the y direction.

In an alternative embodiment, a fourth red subpixel Pr4, a fourth greensubpixel Pg4, and a fourth blue subpixel Pb4 may be juxtaposed in the ydirection. In this case, each of the fourth red subpixel Pr4, the fourthgreen subpixel Pg4, and the fourth blue subpixel Pb4 may have a longerside in the x direction.

Display panels and display devices in embodiments of the invention maysmoothly display an image through a round portion.

Display panels and display devices in embodiments of the invention mayrealize various shapes of display areas.

It should be understood that embodiments described herein should beconsidered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or advantages within eachembodiment should typically be considered as available for other similarfeatures or advantages in other embodiments. While embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the drawing figures, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeas defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display panel comprising: a substrateincluding: a main display area; a round display area disposed at acorner portion of the main display area and at least partially curved;and a middle display area arranged between the main display area and theround display area; a plurality of round display element areas arrangedin the round display area and each including a plurality of rounddisplay elements each including a pixel electrode; and a plurality ofround pixel circuit areas arranged in the middle display area and eachincluding a plurality of round pixel circuits connected to the pluralityof round display elements which are arranged in the round display areaand emit light of a same color, wherein the plurality of round pixelcircuits simultaneously drives the plurality of round display elements,the plurality of round display element areas is arranged in differentrows and the plurality of round pixel circuit areas is arranged indifferent rows, and one edge of a round pixel circuit area arranged in afirst row from among the plurality of round pixel circuit areas arrangedin a same direction is spaced apart from one edge of a round pixelcircuit area arranged in a second row from among the plurality of roundpixel circuit areas by a first distance.
 2. The display panel of claim1, wherein the first distance is a width of one edge of a main unit areain the main display area wherein a plurality of main display elementseach including a pixel electrode is arranged in the main display area.3. The display panel of claim 1, wherein the first distance is twice awidth of one edge of a main unit area arranged in the main display area,wherein a plurality of main display elements each including a pixelelectrode is arranged in the main display area.
 4. The display panel ofclaim 1, wherein the first distance is ½ of a width of one edge of amain display area arranged in the main display area, wherein a pluralityof main display elements each including a pixel electrode is arranged inthe main display area.
 5. The display panel of claim 1, wherein a widthof one edge of one of the plurality of round display element areas isfour times a width of one edge of a main unit area arranged in the maindisplay area, wherein a plurality of main display elements eachincluding a pixel electrode is arranged in the main unit area.
 6. Thedisplay panel of claim 1, wherein a width of one edge of one of theplurality of round display element areas is twice a width of one edge ofa main unit area arranged in the main display area, wherein a pluralityof main display elements each including a pixel electrode is arranged inthe main unit area.
 7. The display panel of claim 1, wherein a planararea of one of the plurality of round display element areas is twice aplanar area of one of the plurality of round pixel circuit areas.
 8. Thedisplay panel of claim 1, wherein a planar area of one of the pluralityof round display element areas is equal to a planar area of one of theplurality of round pixel circuit areas.
 9. The display panel of claim 1,wherein the plurality of round display elements comprise: a plurality offirst round display elements which emit light of a first color; aplurality of second round display elements which emit light of a secondcolor; and a plurality of third round display elements which emit lightof a third color.
 10. The display panel of claim 9, wherein theplurality of round pixel circuits comprises: a first pixel circuitconnected to the plurality of first round display elements; a secondpixel circuit connected to the plurality of second round displayelements; and a third pixel circuit connected to the plurality of thirdround display elements.
 11. The display panel of claim 1, wherein theplurality of round display elements is included in the plurality ofround pixel circuit areas.
 12. The display panel of claim 11, whereinsome of the plurality of middle display elements are connected to oneanother and emit light of a same color.
 13. The display panel of claim1, wherein a rim of at least one of the round display area and themiddle display area is round.
 14. The display panel of claim 1, whereina plurality of main display elements is arranged in the main displayarea.
 15. The display panel of claim 14, wherein the plurality of maindisplay elements is arranged in a same manner as the plurality of rounddisplay elements.
 16. A display panel comprising: a substrate including:a main display area; a round display area including a round boundaryadjacent to a round portion of the substrate and a plurality of rounddisplay element areas in which a plurality of round display elementswhich emit light of a same color is arranged; and a middle display areaarranged between the round display area and the main display area andincluding: a middle display element area, in which a plurality of middledisplay elements which emit light of a same color is arranged; a roundpixel circuit area, in which a round pixel circuit connected to a rounddisplay element of plurality of round display elements is arranged; anda plurality of middle pixel circuit areas, in which a middle pixelcircuit connected to the middle display element is arranged, wherein theplurality of round display element areas is arranged in different rows,and the plurality of middle pixel circuit areas is arranged in differentrows, and the plurality of middle pixel circuit areas in different rowsis arranged in a stepwise manner.
 17. The display panel of claim 16,wherein a main unit area in which a plurality of main display elementsis arranged is arranged in the main display area, and a distance bywhich respective one edges of the plurality of middle pixel circuitareas arranged in different rows are spaced apart from each other isequal to a width of the main unit area in one direction or is twice thewidth.
 18. The display panel of claim 16, wherein a main unit area inwhich a plurality of main display elements is arranged is arranged inthe main display area, and a distance by which respective one edges ofthe plurality of middle pixel circuit areas arranged in different rowsare spaced apart from each other is half of a width of the main unitarea in one direction.
 19. The display panel of claim 16, wherein theround display element areas of the plurality of round display elementareas arranged in different rows in the round portion of the rounddisplay area are arranged in a stepwise manner.
 20. A display devicecomprising: a display panel including a substrate, the substrateincluding: a main display area; a round display area disposed at acorner portion of the main display area and at least partially curved;and a middle display area arranged between the main display area and theround display area; a plurality of round display element areas arrangedin the round display area and each including a plurality of rounddisplay elements each including a pixel electrode; a plurality of roundpixel circuit areas arranged in the middle display area and eachincluding: a plurality of round pixel circuits connected to theplurality of round display elements which are arranged in the rounddisplay area and emit light of a same color; and a window arranged onthe display panel, wherein the plurality of round pixel circuitssimultaneously drives the plurality of round display elements, theplurality of round display element areas is arranged in different rowsand the plurality of round pixel circuit areas is arranged in differentrows, and one edge of a round pixel circuit area arranged in a first rowfrom among the plurality of round pixel circuit areas arranged in a samedirection is spaced apart from one edge of a round pixel circuit areaarranged in a second row from among the plurality of round pixel circuitareas by a first distance.